As June 20, 2026 governorship election for Ekiti State dey approach, Independent National Electoral Commission don call on journalists and media organisations to join hands with dem to protect integrity of electoral process through factual, balanced and responsible reporting.
INEC warn say misinformation, fake election results and inflammatory online content remain major threats to peaceful and credible elections. Dem stress say conduct of media during Ekiti governorship poll go significantly shape public confidence ahead of 2027 general election.
Speaking at Media Stakeholders’ Forum wey dem hold for Ado-Ekiti, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, describe Ekiti governorship election as strategic test case for Nigeria democracy.
“The June 20 governorship election is not just about Ekiti State; it is a critical rehearsal for the 2027 general election,” Haruna tok. He note say 13 political parties go participate for poll across state’s 16 local government areas, 117 wards and 2,445 polling units.
Haruna disclose say INEC don finish major preparations for election, including distribution plans for sensitive materials, recruitment and training of ad hoc personnel, voter education campaigns and security coordination through Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security.
He further assure stakeholders say commission go deploy Bimodal Voter Accreditation System and INEC Result Viewing Portal to strengthen transparency, credibility and public trust for electoral process.
The INEC commissioner express concern over growing spread of disinformation, manipulated content and fake election reports wey fit create panic and undermine democratic stability. According to am, misleading social media narratives and unverified reports don contribute to tension and distrust during previous elections, so journalists need to intensify fact-checking and verify sensitive election information directly with INEC before publication.
Haruna also decry persistent low voter turnout for country and urge media to deepen voter education and civic enlightenment, especially among youths, women and persons with disabilities.
For im remarks, Resident Electoral Commissioner for Ekiti State, Dr. Bunmi Omoseyindemi, warn against circulation of manipulated videos, sensational headlines and false reports wey fit heat up polity. He appeal to political parties, candidates and their supporters to avoid hate speech, inciting rhetoric and actions wey fit threaten peaceful conduct of election.
Also speaking, Chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists, Ekiti State Council, Kayode Babatuyi, reaffirm commitment of journalists for state to ethical journalism and responsible election coverage. Babatuyi disclose say NUJ don establish online chapel wey aim to regulate digital media practitioners and promote accountability among online publishers for state.
The forum also feature engagements on electoral technology, provisions of Electoral Act 2026, voting procedures and guidelines for online media accreditation ahead of governorship election.
Meanwhile, coalition of civil society organisations under Election Observation Hub, via European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria Phase Two programme, don task candidates and political parties to resolve their internal disputes through lawful institutional and judicial mechanisms rather than resorting to violence or divisive narratives.
Dis come after dem urge security agencies to strictly implement proposed “Operation Order 08/2026” to tackle rising kidnapping threats and other security concerns. The groups particularly call for intelligence-led security deployment to border communities for northern local government areas of Ikole, Moba, and Ilejemeje, wey dem identify as high-risk flashpoints for pre-election period.
The call dey contained for Pre-Election Assessment Report presented during Civil Society Media Briefing wey dem hold for Ado-Ekiti, ahead of Ekiti off-cycle governorship election. The report, wey dem read on behalf of Election Observation Hub by Akin Akingbulu and Brenda Anugwom, warn say prevailing atmosphere no be evidence of healthy democratic environment.
According to report, systematic risk mapping wey civil society coalition conduct classify Ado-Ekiti as vulnerable to urban violence, while Ikole, Moba, and Ilejemeje dem flag over kidnapping exposure and insecurity risks. The report note say key threats to election include vote buying wey economic hardship drive, deployment of political thugs, widespread disinformation on WhatsApp and local radio, and fears of excessive militarisation of election security.
Dem disclose say Nigeria Police Force don develop “Operation Order 08/2026,” wey propose deployment of 9,780 conventional police officers, 25 units of mobile policemen, 200 patrol vehicles, 12 Armoured Personnel Carriers, and three helicopters, supported by other security agencies. However, civil society groups express concerns over possible politicisation, perceived bias, and excessive use of force during election. Dem therefore urge security agencies to maintain professionalism and neutrality throughout electoral process.
“The Election Observation Hub calls on all stakeholders to act decisively to consolidate the gains identified in this report and to address the outstanding risks. The Hub’s recommendations are prioritised by urgency. The most critical actor at this stage is INEC, whose operational failure would cascade across all other areas.
“To the Independent National Electoral Commission: Ensure the timely release and effective utilisation of election funds to complete pending pre-election activities, including the rehabilitation of State and LGA offices, RACs, and collation centres. Configure and stress-test the BVAS and the IReV to guarantee seamless accreditation, transparent collation, and the credible electronic transmission of results in line with the Electoral Act 2026. Activate the INEC Security and Alert Notification System for rapid response, provide raincoats and protective covering for personnel and materials, and intensify civic and voter education to address apathy and discourage vote trading. Implement priority voting and accessibility measures for vulnerable persons, expand the deployment of assistive devices, and improve the collection of gender-and PWD-disaggregated data.
“To Security and Law Enforcement Agencies: Execute Operation Order 08/2026 with strict neutrality, professionalism, and intelligence-led deployment, with particular attention to border communities in the northern LGAs of Ikole, Moba, and Ilejemeje. Adopt a proportionate, rights-based approach in addressing vote trading and avoid heavy-handed tactics that could provoke a public backlash. Guarantee the safety of voters, journalists, observers, electoral personnel, and election materials throughout the process.
“To Political Parties and Candidates: Sign and uphold the Peace Accord. Commit publicly to issue-based campaigning, reject vote buying, intimidation, and the deployment of thugs, and accept credible electoral outcomes. Resolve internal party disputes through lawful institutional and judicial channels, and refrain from inflammatory rhetoric or the mobilisation of primordial sentiments,” dem add.
The Election Observation Hub comprise Centre for Media and Society, ElectHER, International Press Centre, Nigerian Women Trust Fund, TAF Africa, The Kukah Centre, and Yiaga Africa.
