The European Union, through its Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) programme, has launched a pre-election assessment report aimed at guiding stakeholders ahead of the June 20, 2026, Ekiti State governorship election.
The report, which evaluates the preparedness of electoral institutions, security agencies, media, and civil society, was unveiled at a media briefing in Abuja on Thursday.
Addressing journalists during the launch, the executive director of the International Press Centre, Lane Arogundade, described the assessment as “an essential tool to strengthen democratic processes and safeguard credible elections in Ekiti State.”
The pre-assessment report is put together by the Civil Society cohort under the EU-SDGN programme. The consortium comprises DAI, Yiaga Africa, the Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NWTF), The Kukah Centre, IPC, the Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO), and TAF Africa. It examines political dynamics, INEC’s operational readiness, security considerations, media coverage, and participation of marginalised groups, including women, youths, and persons with disabilities.
Key findings highlight that, although the pre-election environment in Ekiti is largely calm, this does not necessarily reflect a competitive democratic space. Analysts noted the perceived advantage of incumbency, elite consensus around the sitting governor, resource imbalances, and divisions among opposition parties.
INEC’s preparedness, the report states, remains an operational concern. While continuous voter registration and other pre-election activities are complete, a survey across the 16 local government offices indicated only a 34% readiness rate as of April 14. Critical gaps include the late release of election funding, the need for rehabilitation of operational offices, vehicles, and collation centres, and incomplete preparations for over 32,000 new registrants.
Security risks were described as low-intensity but layered, with urban violence and kidnapping identified in specific LGAs. Other threats include vote buying, political thuggery, disinformation campaigns, and potential militarisation of election security. Although the Nigeria Police Force has outlined a comprehensive deployment plan, questions remain over neutrality, professional conduct, and funding for election operations.
The media landscape in Ekiti is diverse but faces challenges. State-owned outlets are constrained by limited independence, while private media confront commercial pressures. Journalists face risks of physical attack, legal harassment, and economic pressures that could encourage self-censorship.
The assessment also underscores inclusion gaps. Despite supportive laws, none of the 13 political parties fielded a female governorship candidate, and no candidate openly identifies as a person with a disability. High nomination fees and entrenched patronage networks continue to limit participation by women, youths and persons with disabilities.
Speaking at the launch, Veneza Gregory, a Programme Officer with NWTF stressed the urgent need to enhance women’s political participation, highlighting structural barriers, high nomination fees and the absence of female candidates in the upcoming election. Esrom Ajanya of the National Peace Committee outlined key security challenges, including risks of urban violence, vote buying, the mobilisation of political thugs, disinformation campaigns, and the potential militarisation of polling units. The Executive Director of TAF Africa, Jake Epelle of TAF called for comprehensive measures to ensure voting accessibility for persons with disabilities, including assistive devices, priority voting, and collection of disaggregated data. His counterpart in Yiaga Africa, Samson Itodo, emphasised the importance of youth engagement, civic education and grassroots mobilisation to strengthen participation in the electoral process. The chief executive of Centre for Media and Society, Akin Akingulu focused on the media, underlining the need for fair, balanced and conflict-sensitive reporting, fact-checking, and protection of journalists against intimidation or harassment.
Together, their contributions underscored the need for inclusive, secure and transparent electoral processes that address the participation of marginalised groups and maintain public trust.
The report concludes that the June 20 election will be a crucial test of INEC’s operational capacity and the integrity of the electoral process. Stakeholders are urged to act on recommendations for funding release, security planning, accessible voting, media independence and civic engagement to ensure a peaceful, free, fair and inclusive election.
The full Pre-Election Assessment Report is available on the EU-SDGN website and the platforms of implementing partners.
