Ahead of the June 20, 2026 governorship election in Ekiti State, 13 political parties participating in the poll on Thursday signed a peace accord, pledging to ensure a violence-free electoral process before, during, and after the election. Among the signatories was Governor Biodun Oyebanji, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who reaffirmed the commitment of political leaders and residents of the state to sustaining Ekiti’s long-standing reputation for peaceful elections.
Speaking at the event, INEC Chairman Joash Amupitan urged political actors and their supporters to go beyond merely signing the agreement by demonstrating true commitment to peaceful conduct throughout the election period. He disclosed that 1,059,360 registered voters are expected to participate in the election across 16 local government areas, 177 registration areas, and 2,445 polling units. Amupitan further revealed that the commission had mobilised 52,446 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members for electoral duties in Ekiti and other states conducting off-cycle governorship and bye-elections.
The INEC chairman also stated that enhanced logistics, technology, and result management systems had been put in place to guarantee a credible election, while warning against vote-buying, voter intimidation, and political violence.
Also speaking at the event, Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu, assured residents that security agencies had made adequate preparations to secure all polling units and ensure a peaceful process. Representatives of the National Peace Committee, led by former Head of State Abdulsalami Abubakar, equally called on political parties and supporters to reject hate speech, violence, and all forms of electoral misconduct.
