Ahead of the June gubernatorial election in Ekiti State, the EU Support to the National Peace Committee (NPC) and EU Support to Political Parties (SPP) convened a 4-day Stakeholders’ Validation Forum (SVF) in Ado-Ekiti to review and strengthen its pre-election context analysis and political party compliance assessment. The forum formed part of broader efforts to consolidate early warning mechanisms and reinforce institutional preparedness before the June 20th elections.
The engagement brought together cross-section of actors crucial to electoral stability. Representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, traditional and religious institutions, civil society organisations, media professionals, women and youth groups, transport unions, Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), academia, and political parties participated in structured deliberations. The goal of the engagement was to present findings of of research, validate risk indicators, correct assumptions, and contribute field-based intelligence to deepen the context analysis report by the NPC’s Election Security Information (ESI) Hub and the SPP’s Compliance Assessment of Political Parties.
Senatorial district-level analysis revealed a nuanced security landscape. Ekiti North recorded no deaths or injury-related incidents within the review period but experienced six kidnapping cases between August 2025 and January 2026. This highlights mobility and turnout risks linked to fear of abduction. Ekiti South showed relatively low level of criminal disturbance; however, stakeholders cautioned that border communities remain exposed to external spillovers. Ekiti Central, particularly Ado-Ekiti, recorded the highest level of injury-related incidents, including the burning of a political party secretariat in October 2025. Although no widespread pre-election violence has been documented, participants agreed that vigilance must increase as campaign activities intensify.
Beyond physical security, discussions examined structural drivers shaping the electoral environment. Poverty and youth unemployment were repeatedly identified as incentives for vote buying and political manipulation. Participants described the entrenchment of monetised politics, often framed locally as “stomach infrastructure,” as a factor eroding ideological competition and encouraging transactional engagement. Land disputes, agitation for regional political representation, domestic violence, and broader governance gaps were also recognised as indirect pressures capable of influencing voter behaviour and public trust.
The forum also scrutinised political party compliance with constitutional and electoral provisions. While acknowledging reforms under the Electoral Act 2022, stakeholders highlighted persistent weaknesses in internal party democracy, elite dominance in candidate selection processes, high nomination costs, and limited inclusion of women, youths, and PWDs. With twelve candidates contesting the governorship, including only one female candidate, concerns about gender balance were expressed.
Sector specific reflections enriched the conversation. Temitope Aina, the representative of the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner confirmed the increase in polling units from 2,195 to 2,445 since 2022 and reiterated the Commission’s commitment to accessibility, particularly for PWDs in polling units. On his part, ACP Godwin Patrick Jen also assured participants of ongoing risk assessments and preparedness. He emphasised intelligence-driven deployment, inter-agency coordination, and neutrality in enforcement.
The outcome of the SVF is a refined and field-tested context analysis that integrates empirical data with lived realities across Ekiti’s three senatorial districts. The forum also generated actionable recommendations aimed at improving security coordination, enhancing voter education, ensuring institutional neutrality, and expanding inclusive participation.
As Ekiti state approaches election day, this engagement underscores a critical principle in the work of the NPC, which is that preventive diplomacy and collaborative action remain the most effective safeguards against electoral disruption.