Stakeholders in Ekiti State have committed to ensuring a credible, peaceful, and inclusive governorship election scheduled for June 20, 2026. They emphasized the significance of voter education, media engagement, the role of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and robust security arrangements. This commitment was made during a two-day media and election stakeholders’ dialogue on credible elections, organized by the International Press Centre (IPC) with support from the European Union in Ado Ekiti.
Mrs. Oluwakemi Akomolede, the Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in the state, stated that ongoing voter education initiatives are expected to significantly enhance public participation. She described the dialogue as a timely intervention aimed at rebuilding trust in the electoral system and announced that the agency would soon launch grassroots sensitization efforts across all local government areas. Akomolede also underscored the importance of media collaboration to amplify voter awareness, expressing confidence that such initiatives could lead to a 70–80 percent increase in citizen participation.
Dr. Bunmi Omosehindemi, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, highlighted that informed citizens are the cornerstone of credible elections. He revealed that digital tools have been introduced to identify and manage electoral risks and called for sustained voter education through various communication platforms. According to him, strong collaboration between the electoral body and the media is crucial for effective information dissemination.
Regarding security preparedness, Police Public Relations Officer SP Sunday Abutu assured residents and stakeholders of maximum security and neutrality before, during, and after the election. He warned that electoral offenders, including those involved in vote buying, would face arrest and prosecution, while also guaranteeing the safety of journalists covering the event. Comrade Kayode Babatuyi, Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Ekiti State, assured that journalists would provide balanced and professional coverage of the electoral process.
Dr. Akin Akingbulu, Executive Director of the Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO), reaffirmed his organization’s commitment to supporting efforts toward a free, fair, and credible election. Earlier, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, Executive Director of the International Press Centre, noted that the engagement had helped reposition journalists to prioritize public interest in election coverage. He urged media practitioners to combat misinformation and disinformation while holding stakeholders accountable for their commitments.
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