CDD-West Africa Assesses Electoral Environment Ahead of Ekiti Governorship Election, Calls for Vigilance Against Vote Buying and Voter Apathy

The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD-West Africa), through its Election Analysis Centre (CDD-EAC), has closely monitored developments leading up to the 2026 Ekiti State Governorship Election. The Centre notes that the election represents a significant test of Nigeria’s electoral institutions, democratic resilience, and political environment ahead of the 2027 General Elections.

CDD-West Africa's assessment indicates that the pre-election environment remains generally peaceful, with no widespread incidents of political violence reported. However, concerns remain regarding declining electoral competitiveness, voter apathy, vote buying, misinformation, disinformation and hate speech, as well as the impact of prevailing economic hardship on voter behaviour. While major security threats have not emerged, stakeholders must remain vigilant against localized incidents of intimidation or disruption, and security agencies must continue to act professionally and impartially.

The Centre observes that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) enters the election with considerable advantages arising from incumbency, extensive political organisation, broad elite endorsements, and strong institutional presence across the state. The level of cross-party elite support enjoyed by the incumbent governor, Biodun Oyebanji, is unprecedented in Ekiti's political history and reflects a broader effort to consolidate political influence in the South-West ahead of the 2027 elections.

While such political consensus may contribute to stability, it also raises important questions about the quality of electoral competition. A healthy democracy requires not only peaceful elections but also credible alternatives capable of providing voters with meaningful choices and strengthening democratic accountability.

CDD-West Africa notes that opposition parties have struggled with internal divisions, organisational weaknesses, and limited coordination. These challenges have reduced the competitiveness that has historically characterised elections in Ekiti State and may contribute to perceptions that the outcome of the election is largely predetermined.

The Centre further observes that economic hardship remains a major concern among citizens. Rising living costs, inflationary pressures, youth unemployment, and declining purchasing power continue to shape public discourse. Security concerns, particularly incidents of kidnapping and attacks in parts of the state, have also featured prominently during the campaign period.

With respect to electoral administration, CDD-West Africa acknowledges the efforts undertaken by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to prepare for the election, including voter education activities, deployment planning, PVC distribution, testing of election technologies, and stakeholder engagement. The election represents an important opportunity for INEC to demonstrate the effectiveness of the Electoral Act 2026 and strengthen public confidence in electoral institutions ahead of the 2027 General Elections.

Nevertheless, the Centre urges INEC to ensure the timely deployment of personnel and election materials, maintain contingency plans for operational challenges, technological failures, guarantee the functionality of BVAS and IRev, and communicate transparently with voters throughout the process. Strict adherence to electoral procedures will be critical to sustaining public confidence in the election

CDD-West Africa is particularly concerned about the risk of vote buying, which remains one of the most significant threats to electoral integrity in Nigeria. Economic hardship has increased voter vulnerability to inducement, while past elections have demonstrated the persistence of transactional politics. We therefore call on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), security agencies, and election officials to actively monitor and respond to incidents of voter inducement and electoral bribery.

The Centre also urges political parties, candidates, and their supporters to refrain from inflammatory rhetoric, misinformation, hate speech, and actions capable of undermining public confidence in the electoral process. False information and inflammatory content can undermine confidence in electoral institutions, distort public understanding, and heighten tensions. CDD-West Africa is equally concerned by the continued underrepresentation of women in elective politics. 

The absence of female governorship candidates in the election highlights the structural barriers that continue to limit women's participation in political leadership. Political parties and electoral stakeholders must take deliberate steps to promote more inclusive representation in future elections.

As Ekiti voters head to the polls, CDD-West Africa calls on citizens to participate peacefully, reject vote buying, verify information before sharing it, and exercise their democratic rights responsibly. The credibility of the election will ultimately depend not only on the conduct of electoral institutions but also on the commitment of political actors and citizens to democratic values and electoral integrity. 

All stakeholders must therefore play their part in ensuring that the election is peaceful, credible, inclusive, and reflective of the will of the people.

SIGNED

Dauda Garuba, PhD.
Director,
CDD-West Africa

Professor Victor Adetula,
Chair, 
CDD-EAC.

For media enquiries or conference participation, please contact Faridha Salihu-Lukman, Communications Officer (fslukman@cddwestafrica.org or 0810 625 9235). Press statements are also available at www.cddwestafrica.org/press-releases, and other reports cited and referenced are available at www.cddwestafrica.org. CDD-West Africa is available on social media platforms with the handle CDDWestAfrica.