….as Osun governorship election holds Aug. 15.
*Police deploy personnel, strategic assets for peaceful election
By Ola Kay
A non-profit organization, the Centre for Democracy and Development, CDD-West Africa, has appealed to political stakeholders to remain vigilant against the crime of vote buying ahead of Saturday’s Ekiti governorship election, underscoring the significance of the voting voting exercise.
The body also cautioned the people of the state against voter apathy, calling on the electorate and relevant stakeholders to actively support efforts towards ensuring a credible and inclusive electoral process.
In a statement jointly issued and signed on Thursday in Abuja by the Director of CDD-West Africa, Dr Dauda Garuba and Prof. Victor Adetula, Chair of the CDD-Election Analysis Centre (CDD-EAC), highlighting key electoral issues, CDD-EAC noted particularly that the Saturday poll would be a major indicator of Nigeria’s electoral institutions, democratic resilience and political environment ahead of the 2027 general elections and broader democratic consolidation efforts across the country.
The Pinnacle Times reports that Ekiti is the first off-cycle governorship election (an election held outside the country’s regular, nationwide general election timetable), scheduled for June 20, while the Osun governorship election is expected to hold on Aug. 15.
In its pre-election assessment, the organization indicated that the atmosphere remained largely peaceful, without known widespread incidents of political violence recorded across the state during campaigns and other political activities.
But the body expressed concern over what it describes as declining electoral competitiveness, voter apathy, vote buying, misinformation, disinformation and hate speech, coupled with economic hardship capable of influencing voter behaviour and participation across the state.
It acknowledged that, so far, no significant security threats had been recorded, calling on stakeholders to remain alert against isolated incidents of intimidation or disruption during the election period to protect the sanctity of the exercise.
Regarding security, CDD urged security agencies to continue discharging their responsibilities with professionalism, impartiality and lawfully to guarantee a peaceful process and sustain public confidence in the electoral ecosystem throughout.
The organisation also noted that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) entered the election with significant advantages, including incumbency factor, extensive political structures, elite endorsements and statewide institutional presence.
CDD acknowledged what it regarded as a broad cross-party support enjoyed by governor Biodun Oyebanji in Ekiti’s political history, noting that it reflects wider political realignments ahead of 2027.
Similarly, the body observed that political consensus could enhance stability, the CDD however noted that democracy also required credible alternatives capable of providing voters with meaningful choices, competition and accountability.
It noted that opposition parties in the state had struggled with internal divisions, organisational weaknesses and limited coordination, all indicating a sharp reduction in the competitiveness historically associated with elections in Ekiti State and democratic participation.
The organisation revealed through its observations that economic hardship, rising living costs, inflation, youth unemployment and declining purchasing power remained dominant concerns among citizens throughout the campaign period and engagements. It also noted that insecurity, particularly kidnapping incidents and attacks in some communities, featured prominently in public discussions and campaign engagements across the state recently.
But the CDD commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its preparations, urging strict procedural compliance.
The CDD therefore called on voters to participate peacefully and turn down any form of inducements and uphold democratic values to ensure a credible and inclusive election.
In similar development, as the Ekiti State Governorship Election approaches, the Nigeria Police Force has commenced the strategic deployment of personnel and operational assets to ensure a peaceful, secure, and credible electoral process.
The Force assured that it remains committed to safeguarding lives, protecting electoral materials, and providing a secure environment for all stakeholders to exercise their democratic rights without fear or intimidation.
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