Ekiti 2026: INEC boss, Amupitan, IGP Disu, others present as 13 political parties sign peace accord
Ekiti Political Parties Sign Peace Accord Ahead of 2026 Governorship Election
In Ekiti State, 13 political parties signed a peace accord Thursday in preparation for the governorship election scheduled for June 20, 2026. The agreement underscores a collective commitment to uphold peaceful conduct throughout the electoral process.
Among the signatories was Biodun Oyebanji, the incumbent governor and candidate for the All Progressives Congress (APC). He emphasized the dedication of both residents and political stakeholders to preserving peace during the election.
Joash Amupitan, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), urged political parties and their supporters to embody the spirit of the agreement rather than just signing the document. He noted Ekiti’s reputation for political awareness and tranquility, stressing the importance of maintaining this image throughout the electoral period.
Amupitan praised the National Peace Committee for promoting democratic stability and reducing electoral tensions across the country. He pointed to the success of the peace accord mechanism used in the Anambra governorship election in November 2025 and expressed INEC’s commitment to implementing a similar approach in Ekiti.
He reported that the peace accord initiative has expanded to include off-cycle governorship elections since its launch in Edo State in September 2020. This approach has since been institutionalized in various states.
According to Amupitan, approximately 1,059,360 registered voters are anticipated to participate in the Ekiti election, with arrangements for deployment across 16 local government areas, 177 registration areas, and 2,445 polling units. INEC is mobilizing 52,446 National Youth Service Corps members for the upcoming elections and bye-elections in several states, including Ekiti, Osun, and Kano.
To ensure credible elections, the commission has improved logistics, technology, and result management systems. Amupitan cautioned against vote-buying, voter intimidation, and political violence.
He also revealed that 54 media organizations and 470 journalists had requested accreditation to cover the election, while 96 domestic and two international observer groups had received approval.
Amupitan stressed that leadership gained through violence and incitement would represent a hollow victory, urging political leaders to educate their supporters on the importance of peaceful conduct during the electoral period.
Abdulsalami Abubakar, Chairman of the National Peace Committee and former Head of State, represented by Martin Agwai, described the peace accord as a unified pledge to ensure credible, free, fair, and peaceful elections. He called on political parties and their supporters to reject violence, hate speech, and electoral misconduct, emphasizing that no political ambition should threaten lives or public order.
Inspector General of Police Olatunji Disu highlighted the accord’s significance in promoting elections as contests of ideas rather than sources of conflict. He assured the public that security agencies, in collaboration with the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security, have made extensive arrangements to ensure safety at polling units, facilitating a peaceful, free, and credible election.
Disu reassured the community that security personnel would maintain professionalism and impartiality while upholding democratic values throughout the electoral process.
