Anxiety as 37 candidates battle for 7 seats in Ekiti, Enugu, River, Kano, others
Elections Set for Ekiti State and Six Others Amid Heightened Security
By Clifford Ndujihe, Dayo Johnson, Rotimi Ojomoyela, Dennis Agbo, Davies Iheamnachor, Haruna Aliyu, Edwin Philip, and Hadiza Yusuf
With the conclusion of campaign activities and the distribution of sensitive electoral materials by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), preparations are underway for tomorrow’s off-cycle governorship election in Ekiti State. The election will also include four senatorial races and bye-elections for one House of Representatives seat and one state assembly seat across six states.
The senatorial elections will occur in Enugu, Ondo, Nasarawa, and Rivers State, while the House of Representatives and state assembly bye-elections will take place in Kano and Kebbi, respectively.
Law enforcement agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, have declared a zero-tolerance policy toward electoral misconduct, vowing a strict response to any instances of violence or vote-buying.
INEC Distributes Sensitive Materials
In Ekiti, INEC began distributing sensitive election materials to all 16 local government areas early yesterday morning. This process, which commenced at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) office in Ado-Ekiti around 1:25 a.m., was conducted under close supervision by police and personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
The distribution first targeted councils located farthest from the state capital, including Ilejemeje, Ayekire, Ido-Osi, Ijero, Ikole, Ekiti East, and Emure.
Mr. Bunmi Omoseyindemi, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, emphasized the commission’s readiness and encouraged voters to participate actively and peacefully in the electoral process. He noted that the distribution was conducted transparently and in the presence of security personnel, political representatives, and election observers.
Police Announce Security Measures
Commissioner of Police for the Ekiti governorship election, Mr. Abayomi Shogunle, stated his office’s commitment to maintaining order, identifying 460 flashpoints across the state where heightened security measures would be implemented. He assured that security personnel have been deployed to these locations to prevent any disruption during the election.
Shogunle declared that a multi-layered security framework had been approved by the Inspector-General of Police to address specific concerns in various regions. He expressed confidence that, given the security arrangements, the election would proceed without incident.
To further protect the electoral process, vehicle movement restrictions will be in effect on election day, with voters encouraged to walk to polling places. Armed police teams will be stationed at strategic points for rapid response.
Concerns Over Vote-Buying
Yiaga Africa, a civil society organization, has flagged vote-buying as a significant threat to the integrity of the Ekiti State election. During a pre-election briefing, Dr. Aisha Abdullahi, chair of Yiaga Africa’s observation mission, highlighted the smooth progress of preparations while warning that vote trading could undermine the electoral process. She expressed particular concern about security challenges in hotspot local government areas.
Including All Voices
Prior to the election, the International Press Centre (IPC) advised journalists to remain impartial and properly accredited to prevent confrontations with security personnel. Additionally, TAF Africa has deployed 150 observers, including individuals with disabilities, to monitor polling units and assess the effectiveness of INEC’s assistive provisions.
Party Leaders Criticize APC
In a related political development, former Senate President David Mark and former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola criticized the performance of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti. During a rally in Ado-Ekiti, they urged residents to support the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, Ambassador Dare Bejide, asserting that he is equipped to lead the state toward improvement.
Security in Enugu and Rivers
In Enugu, the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mamman Giwa, has implemented a restriction on human and vehicular movement in the Enugu North Senatorial district on election day. This measure aims to ensure a smooth electoral process. The police have warned that any acts of electoral misconduct will be met with full legal consequences.
In Rivers State, INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Johnson Sinikiem, assured stakeholders of comprehensive security arrangements for the Rivers South-East by-election, which encompasses 1,629 polling units across seven local government areas.
Upcoming Bye-Elections in Other States
Various bye-elections are also taking place in Ondo and Nasarawa, with multiple parties contesting the vacant seats in these regions. The electoral environment is primed for a competitive series of elections across these states, as candidates prepare for the upcoming polls.
The outcome of these elections will be closely monitored by various stakeholders to ensure a transparent electoral process as Nigeria continues to navigate its democratic journey.
