Ekiti State is set for its governorship election on Saturday, 20 June 2026, as electoral officials, security agencies and political parties complete final preparations across the state’s 16 local government areas.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has completed the distribution of sensitive and non-sensitive election materials, while ad hoc staff and electoral officers have undergone the necessary training ahead of the poll.
The governorship election, scheduled for Saturday, 20 June 2026, is expected to attract widespread participation across the state’s 16 local government areas, where voters will elect a governor for the next four years.
A visit to the state capital, Ado-Ekiti, showed heightened security presence around key government institutions, particularly the INEC headquarters, where election materials were being sorted and prepared for deployment to various polling locations.
Security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and other sister agencies, have deployed personnel across the state to maintain law and order throughout the electoral process.
Speaking ahead of the election, the Resident Electoral Commissioner of Ekiti State, Bunmi Omoseyindemi, assured residents that adequate security measures had been put in place to guarantee a peaceful atmosphere before, during and after the poll.
He warned individuals or groups against engaging in activities capable of disrupting the electoral process, stressing that security operatives would act decisively against anyone found violating electoral laws.
Political parties have concluded campaigns and intensified voter mobilisation efforts across communities. Party agents have also been designated to monitor activities at polling units and collation centres.
The election will feature candidates from 13 political parties cleared by INEC. Among the leading contenders is the incumbent governor, Biodun Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who is seeking a second term in office after campaigning on his administration’s achievements in infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture and social development.
Also contesting is Professor Oyebanji Ikusayedegbe Olajuyin of the Labour Party (LP), whose campaign has attracted considerable support among young voters and professionals. Another prominent candidate is Ambassador Oluwadare Patrick Bejide of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a seasoned politician with extensive experience in public service and party administration.
Other political parties participating in the election include the Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party, Action Democratic Party (ADP), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Boot Party (BP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Social Democratic Party (SDP), Young Progressives Party (YPP) and several others.
Residents have expressed optimism that the election will be peaceful and reflective of the people’s will. Many voters called on political actors and supporters to conduct themselves responsibly and uphold the spirit of democracy.
Election observers and civil society organisations have also arrived in the state to monitor the process and provide independent assessments of the conduct of the poll.
With all eyes now on Ekiti, the election is expected to serve as another important test of Nigeria’s democratic institutions and the commitment of stakeholders to free, fair and credible elections.
