Ekiti State is entering the final stretch toward its governorship election scheduled for Saturday with political actors, electoral officials and security agencies completing last-minute arrangements across the 16 local government areas of the state.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has already concluded the distribution of sensitive and non-sensitive materials, while ad hoc staff and electoral officers have undergone training designed to strengthen efficiency at polling units.
At the same time, security agencies have intensified deployments across strategic locations.
In Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, the atmosphere reflects a mix of anticipation and caution. A visit to key locations, including the INEC headquarters, showed heightened security presence as officials sorted and prepared election materials for onward distribution to polling centres.
Personnel from the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and other agencies have been stationed across the state to maintain order before, during and after the election.
Speaking ahead of the exercise, the Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, Bunmi Omoseyindemi, assured residents of adequate security coverage, noting that measures had been put in place to guarantee a peaceful environment for voters.
He warned against any attempt to disrupt the process, stressing that security operatives would respond decisively to electoral offences.
The police leadership also reiterated its commitment to safeguarding lives and ensuring that eligible voters can exercise their civic rights without intimidation.
With campaigns concluded, political parties have shifted focus to voter mobilisation and election-day strategy. Party agents have been deployed across polling units and collation centres, where they are expected to monitor the conduct of the exercise and ensure transparency.
The election will feature candidates from 12 political parties cleared by INEC, with the incumbent governor, Biodun Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress (APC), among the leading contenders.
He is seeking a second term on the strength of what his administration describes as progress in infrastructure development, education, healthcare, agriculture and social welfare.
The Labour Party candidate, Professor Oyebanji Olajuyin, has also drawn attention, particularly among younger voters and professionals who see his candidacy as an alternative direction for the state.
Meanwhile, Ambassador Oluwadare Patrick Bejide of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) brings extensive political and administrative experience into the contest.
Other participating parties include the Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party, Action Democratic Party (ADP), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Boot Party (BP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Social Democratic Party (SDP), Young Progressives Party (YPP) and others.
On the streets of Ado-Ekiti and surrounding communities, conversations about the election are increasingly shaped by voter sentiment, expectations and frustrations.
While many residents express optimism that the election will be peaceful, opinions vary on the competitiveness of the race.
A taxi driver, Adebayo Oni, described the contest as largely one-sided, arguing that the incumbent faces little real opposition.
“It’s a one-way election. Nobody is contesting against Oyebanji. No candidate is strong enough to remove him,” he said, though he added concerns about unresolved security challenges affecting families in parts of the state.
Another resident, Funmi, a food vendor, echoed concerns about the level of competition in the race, suggesting that opposition parties failed to present a united front.
“Only Oyebanji is contesting. Who else? Other people are not strong; they refused to come together,” she said.
Beyond political debates, civil society organisations and election observers have also arrived in the state, positioning themselves to monitor proceedings and provide independent assessments of the electoral process.
(The Whistler)
