Election News Archives - LMSINT MEDIA

The 2026 Ekiti State governorship election ended with the re-election of Governor Biodun Oyebanji, but the exercise was marked by allegations of violence, voter inducement, intimidation and other irregularities that raised fresh concerns about Nigeria’s electoral process. The poll, conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), attracted voters across 2,445 polling units spread through the 16 local government areas of Ekiti State. The election featured candidates from 14 political parties, although the contest was largely viewed as a three-way race involving the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Governor Oyebanji secured victory with 319,224 votes, defeating his closest challenger, Dr Wole Oluyede of the PDP, who received 40,543 votes. ADC candidate Ambassador Dare Bejide finished third with 12,872 votes. INEC’s returning officer for the election, Prof Adenike Oladiji, Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, announced the final result after collation from across the state. Election Background and Voter Participation Ekiti State had 1,059,360 registered voters, while 1,028,929 voters collected their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and were eligible to participate. While some communities recorded strong voter turnout, several areas experienced lower participation, with observers pointing to concerns over security, political tension and voter confidence. The election was closely watched because it tested the popularity of the incumbent administration and the strength of opposition parties seeking to end APC’s dominance in the state. Violence Reported in Some Polling Locations Despite heavy security presence, reports of clashes and disruptions emerged from different parts of the state. One of the major incidents occurred in Ilawe-Ekiti, Ward 2, where a confrontation reportedly broke out involving ADC governorship candidate Ambassador Dare Bejide and some security personnel. Bejide alleged that individuals attached to a political figure assaulted his driver after removing him from a vehicle near the polling area. The injured driver was reportedly taken for medical attention. The Ekiti State Commissioner of Police later visited the location, engaged those involved and assessed the situation. Election observers also recorded additional incidents across several local government areas. The EU-SDGN Election Observation Hub reported 24 cases of violence across 10 local government areas during the election period. Vote Buying Allegations Raise Questions Another major concern surrounding the election was the allegation of vote buying. Observers and opposition parties accused political actors of offering voters money in exchange for support, with amounts reportedly ranging between ₦5,000 and ₦20,000 in some locations. Reports suggested that some party agents allegedly avoided direct cash exchanges at polling centres by issuing identification numbers to voters after voting, allowing them to collect payments elsewhere. There were also allegations that some voters were asked to display their marked ballot papers as confirmation before receiving payment. Security agencies, including anti-corruption officials deployed for monitoring, were present during the exercise, but observers claimed vote-buying activities continued in some areas. Claims Over PVC Distribution and Electoral Integrity Concerns were also raised over allegations involving Permanent Voter Cards. The Movement for Credible Elections (MCE), a civil society organisation, called for investigation after videos circulated online allegedly showing the distribution of uncollected PVCs to individuals suspected of being brought into the state to influence the election outcome. The group warned that if proven, such actions would represent a serious violation of electoral laws and could weaken public trust in democratic institutions. Reactions After the Poll Following the election, businessman and Ekiti indigene Isaac Fayose criticised the conduct of the exercise, alleging that the process did not reflect a credible election. Fayose accused political actors of using intimidation against citizens, describing the situation as a major setback for democracy. His comments have generated debate among residents and political observers. What the Ekiti Election Means Going Forward Governor Oyebanji’s victory secures another term for the APC-led administration in Ekiti, but the allegations recorded during the election have placed renewed attention on transparency, electoral reforms and the role of security agencies. Political analysts say future elections in Nigeria will continue to be judged not only by official results but also by public confidence in the fairness and credibility of the process. As calls for investigations into reported incidents continue, stakeholders are watching to see whether electoral authorities will address complaints raised by observers and opposition groups.