Ahead of Ekiti 2026 Poll, EU-Supported Groups Push for Stronger Intelligence-Led Measures Against Vote Buying



Opeyemi Akinyemi, Ado-Ekiti 

The European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) Election Observation Hub, on Friday called for aggressive intelligence-led operations by security agencies to curb vote-trading ahead of the Saturday Ekiti State governorship election. 

The Election Observation Hub further appealed to INEC in ensuring that all BVAS devices are properly configured, tested, charged and safe with contingency arrangements to deal with any technical challenges on election day to avoid disruption during accreditation 

Speaking on behalf of the groups, the Project Manager of Kukah Centre, Barr Asabe Ndahi who spoke with newsmen at Afe Babalola Civic Centre, Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, said “Security agencies should adopt the use of aggressive intelligence-led operations to combat and mitigate the menace of vote trading.”

She scored preparedness of security operatives very high, noting that, “overall atmosphere in the State in the run-up to the election is generally peaceful and calm in contrast to earlier governorship elections that were fiercely contested.

“Security and law enforcement agencies have deployed their personnel across the State in accordance with the operational order, and the Nigeria Police Force as the lead agency in election security, has assured all stakeholders of a comprehensive security arrangement before, during and after the election.”

Ndahi urged security and law enforcement agencies to remain highly professional, impartial and diligent in discharging their primary responsibility of guaranteeing the safety and security of voters, election officials, the media, accredited observers and other stakeholders. 

However, she raised concerns the vulnerability of Ado-Ekiti to urban electoral violence and the exposure of Ikole, Moba, and llejemeje Local Government Areas to cross-border criminal activities, especially kidnapping. 

Earlier, the Executive Director, Center for Media and Society, Dr Akin Akingbile disclosed that Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) accredited 98 election observer groups, comprising 96 domestic and two international organisations and 91 media organisations who deployed approximately 675 journalists for the election.

The hub comprising of Kukah Centre (TKC), TAF Africa, the Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NWTF), Yiaga Africa, the International Press Centre (IPC), and the Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO) noted that concerted efforts must be put in place to ensure fight against menace of vote-trading. 

Ends.

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