By Faith Anisiobi The Sight News
Political parties and candidates contesting the June 20, 2026 governorship election in Ekiti State have signed a Peace Accord, committing themselves and their supporters to peaceful conduct, issue-based campaigns, and adherence to the rule of law.
The accord was signed on Wednesday in Ado-Ekiti under the auspices of the National Peace Committee chaired by former Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar, who was represented by retired General Martin Luther Agwai.
Speaking at the event, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, warned political actors against violence, saying leadership attained through bloodshed and intimidation was meaningless.
“Leadership won at the expense of human life and public trust is a hollow victory,” he said, urging the 13 participating political parties to ensure that the spirit of the accord was reflected at the grassroots level.
Amupitan disclosed that INEC had completed seven out of the nine activities scheduled for the election, with the close of campaigns on June 18 and the conduct of the poll on June 20 remaining.
According to him, the commission’s operations would cover the 16 local government areas of the state, 177 registration areas, and 2,445 polling units, while 1,059,360 registered voters were expected to participate in the election.
He also stated that the Certified True Copy of the harmonised voters register had already been presented to political parties.
The INEC chairman further revealed that 52,446 members of the National Youth Service Corps were being mobilised as ad-hoc staff for the Ekiti election, the forthcoming Osun governorship election, and several bye-elections in Nasarawa, Enugu, Rivers, Ondo, Kebbi and Kano states.
“INEC does not look for a particular outcome; we are interested only in a lawful process,” Amupitan stated, adding that the commission had strengthened its logistics, technology, and result management systems to ensure credible polls.
He added that 54 media organisations and 470 journalists had so far applied for accreditation to cover the election, while the accreditation portal would close on June 7, 2026.
Amupitan also disclosed that 98 observer groups, comprising 96 domestic and two international organisations, had been accredited to monitor the election.
Representing Abdulsalami at the event, Agwai appealed to political stakeholders to place peace and unity above political ambition.
“Elections will come and go, but the peace and unity of the state must remain,” he said.
Also speaking, Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, assured residents and stakeholders of adequate security before, during and after the election.
He said the Nigeria Police Force, through the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), had put in place comprehensive security measures across all local government areas and polling units in the state.
“The Nigerian Police will remain professional, impartial, and fully committed to the protection of democratic values throughout the electoral process,” the IGP said, encouraging voters to participate in the election without fear.
The event was attended by Ekiti State Governor, political party chairmen, governorship candidates and their running mates, traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organisations, members of the diplomatic corps, and the media.
