Ekiti State stakeholders have pledged to ensure a credible, peaceful, and inclusive governorship election on June 20, 2026, stressing the importance of voter education, media engagement, INEC’s role, and robust security arrangements.
The commitment was made during a two-day media and election stakeholders’ dialogue on credible elections, organised by the International Press Centre (IPC) with support from the European Union in Ado Ekiti.
Mrs Oluwakemi Akomolede, Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in the state, said ongoing voter education initiatives are expected to significantly boost public participation. She described the dialogue as a timely intervention to rebuild trust in the electoral system, adding that the agency would soon launch grassroots sensitisation across all local government areas. Akomolede also highlighted the need for media collaboration to amplify voter awareness, expressing confidence that such efforts could drive up to 70β80 percent improvement in citizen participation.
Dr Bunmi Omosehindemi, Resident Electoral Commissioner, emphasised that informed citizens are the foundation of credible elections. He disclosed that digital tools have been introduced to identify and manage electoral risks, while calling for sustained voter education through various communication platforms. According to him, strong collaboration between the electoral body and the media is essential for effective information dissemination.
On 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 be arrested and prosecuted, while also guaranteeing the safety of journalists covering the exercise.
Comrade Kayode Babatuyi, Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Ekiti State, assured that journalists in the state 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 organisation’s readiness to support efforts toward a free, fair, and credible election.
Earlier, Mr Lanre Arogundade, Executive Director of the International Press Centre, said the engagement had helped reposition journalists to prioritise public interest in election coverage. He urged media practitioners to combat misinformation and disinformation while holding stakeholders accountable for their commitments.
