Ekiti Governorship Poll Will Be First Major Test For Credible 2027 Elections – EU-SDGN

The European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) Election Observation Hub has said that the Ekiti State governorship election, scheduled for Saturday, June 20, will determine the readiness of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct credible elections in 2027.

In a pre-election statement issued on Friday, the observation hub, comprising the Kukah Centre, TAF Africa, Nigerian Women Trust Fund, Yiaga Africa, International Press Centre and the Centre for Media and Society, called on INEC to guarantee the prompt electronic transmission and uploading of polling unit results and ensure transparency throughout the electoral process.

While commending INEC's mock accreditation exercise, the observers expressed concern over what they described as low public participation.

The mission noted that reports from its observers indicated that political party leaders and candidates had largely complied with the provisions of the Peace Accord they signed on May 21, 2026, under the auspices of the National Peace Committee (NPC).

According to the hub, most political actors conducted their campaigns in an orderly manner, demonstrated respect for the rule of law and generally exercised restraint over their supporters, with only isolated cases of misconduct recorded.

It, however, observed that the political landscape had undergone significant realignment, a development it said had heightened electoral competition and increased political tensions in the state.

The EU-SDGN also expressed expectations that political party agents would be present at polling units, ward collation centres and other designated electoral locations in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act and relevant INEC guidelines.

It urged party agents, as critical stakeholders in the electoral process, to conduct themselves peacefully, responsibly and lawfully while respecting the authority of election officials and security personnel.

The election, scheduled for Saturday, June 20, 2026, will be contested by 13 political parties and their candidates across 2,445 polling units in the state's 16 local government areas, involving 1,059,360 registered voters and 1,028,929 collected Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).