With just 48 hours to the Ekiti State governorship election scheduled for June 20, electoral authorities, security agencies, and civil society organisations have stepped up preparations for what is expected to be a major off-cycle election in Nigeria. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is set to commence the distribution of sensitive election materials to the state's 16 local government areas on Thursday, while security agencies have significantly increased deployment across the state to ensure a peaceful electoral process.
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has deployed 10,000 personnel, while the Nigeria Police Force has activated a comprehensive security framework aimed at protecting voters, election officials, and electoral materials throughout the exercise.
Meanwhile, the Court of Appeal has constituted the Ekiti State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, and the Nigerian Air Force has confirmed the successful airlift of sensitive electoral materials to support the governorship election as well as other by-elections slated for the same day.
The coordinated efforts by electoral and security institutions reflect a determination to deliver a peaceful, transparent, and credible election amid heightened political activities across the state.
A total of 13 political parties are participating in the governorship race, with voters expected to cast their ballots across the state's 16 local government areas, 177 wards, and more than 2,000 polling units.
Political observers have described the election as an important test case ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Commenting on the process, the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Ekiti State, Dr Bunmi Omoseyindemi, confirmed that INEC would begin the movement of sensitive materials to the local government areas on Thursday. The materials include ballot papers, Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices, voter registers, and other essential election items.
Reaffirming the commission's readiness for the poll, Omoseyindemi stated, “We (INEC) have done most of the things we need to do.”
He also reiterated earlier assurances to stakeholders that the commission was fully prepared to conduct a transparent, credible, and widely acceptable election, adding that voting would begin as scheduled across polling units in the state.
According to the REC, non-sensitive election materials have already been distributed ahead of Saturday's poll.
The distribution of sensitive materials represents a critical phase in INEC's election timetable and is expected to attract close scrutiny from political parties, election observers, and security agencies monitoring the process.
Delivery of Sensitive material
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has confirmed the successful transportation of sensitive electoral materials for the upcoming Ekiti State governorship election and several by-elections across the country, reinforcing efforts to ensure a smooth and credible electoral process.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, disclosed that the operation was carried out between June 15 and 16 following a request from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Ejodame explained that the mission was aimed at facilitating the secure and prompt movement of sensitive election materials from Abuja to various destinations nationwide ahead of the scheduled polls.
According to him, the operation covered logistical support for the Ekiti governorship election and senatorial by-elections in the Enugu North Senatorial District of Enugu State, Nasarawa North Senatorial District of Nasarawa State, and Rivers South-East Senatorial District of Rivers State.
The exercise also included the transportation of materials for federal constituency by-elections in Dawakin Kudu/Warawa Federal Constituency in Kano State and Zuru/Shanga Federal Constituency in Kebbi State.
Ejodame noted that the Air Force deployed its strategic airlift platforms to move the materials from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja to designated airports across the affected states.
“Leveraging its strategic airlift capabilities, the NAF transported the sensitive electoral materials from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, to designated airports in Enugu, Rivers and Kano States, ensuring that INEC received the materials within the stipulated timeline ahead of the elections,” he said.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, praised the officers and personnel who participated in the operation, describing the successful mission as a demonstration of the Air Force’s commitment to national development and democratic governance.
“The successful airlift underscores the Service’s unwavering commitment to supporting democratic institutions and national development,” Aneke said.
He further reaffirmed the Air Force’s readiness to assist civil authorities whenever necessary, noting that the operation highlighted the enduring collaboration between the military and INEC in promoting credible electoral processes across the country.
Security Agencies Intensified Preparedness
As sensitive electoral materials continue to arrive in Ekiti State ahead of Saturday’s governorship election, security agencies have unveiled extensive measures aimed at ensuring a peaceful and orderly electoral process.
The Commissioner of Police assigned to oversee security during the election, Abayomi Shogunle, has assumed duty in the state and commenced the implementation of election security strategies approved by the Inspector-General of Police.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Ekiti State Police Public Relations Officer, Sunday Abutu, said the operational framework includes intelligence gathering, strategic deployment of personnel, and close collaboration with other security agencies through the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security.
According to Abutu, the police have intensified intelligence operations to identify and neutralise potential threats such as political violence, cult-related activities, thuggery, and misinformation campaigns that could undermine the election.
He added that security arrangements have also been put in place to ensure the safe movement of electoral materials and personnel engaged by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“The protocols are towards ensuring adequate provision of security and robust collaboration with sister security agencies and election stakeholders.
“These include intelligence mapping to neutralise political violence; anti-thuggery, anti-cult-related activities, and counter-misinformation campaigns/initiatives; and robust planning for the secured movement of electoral materials and staff/persons engaged by the Independent National Electoral Commission,” he said.
Abutu further disclosed that the command had established a centralised operational structure to coordinate rapid response efforts and joint deployments across the state.
He explained that the security framework is designed to safeguard polling units, collation centres, election workers, voters, observers, journalists, and critical infrastructure throughout the election period.
“Ekiti State Police Command had put in place a centralised operational framework to coordinate rapid response and joint deployments of security personnel under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security to adequately secure all polling units, collation centres, designated facilities for the election, voters, electoral workers, observers/monitors, journalists and critical infrastructures across the state,” Abutu said.
Shogunle reassured residents that officers assigned to election duties had received adequate briefings and would conduct themselves in accordance with the Constitution and the Electoral Act. He noted that security personnel had been strategically deployed to identified flashpoints to prevent any disruption of public order.
The police commissioner also appealed to political stakeholders, community leaders, and residents to cooperate with security agencies to ensure a peaceful and credible election. He reiterated the commitment of the police to protecting lives and property before, during, and after the poll.
“The Commandant General of the NSCDC has also directed the immediate deployment of the Corps’ elite tactical units to neutralise any potential security threats.
“These highly trained squads include the CG’s Special Intelligence Squad, the Special Weapons and Tactics unit, the Specialised Female Squad, the Mining Marshals, the Special Force and Crack Squad, and the K9 Unit (highly trained specialised dogs for detection and crowd control),” he said.
The Deputy Commandant General in charge of Operations, Ayuba Phillips, has been assigned to supervise the deployment on behalf of the Commandant General.
Reaffirming the corps’ commitment to securing the electoral process, Afolabi quoted the NSCDC leadership as saying:
“Our mission in Ekiti State is definitive: to protect the integrity of the democratic process and guarantee the safety of every voter, election official, and citizen.”
