Adebayo Adenrele
The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room has raised concerns over security threats and vote trading ahead of Saturday’s gubernatorial election in Ekiti State, urging security agencies, electoral officials and political actors to ensure a peaceful and credible poll.
This was contained in a preliminary statement issued in Ado-Ekiti and jointly signed and read by the Co-Conveners of the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, Celestine Odo and Mma Odi.
Addressing journalists, the coalition of over 70 civil society organisations said while the state remained largely calm and peaceful on the eve of the election, certain local government areas had been identified as potential flashpoints requiring heightened vigilance from security agencies.
The group identified Ado-Ekiti Local Government Area as the highest-risk area due to the concentration of political actors and election-related activities.
It also flagged concerns over political tensions and signs of voter apathy in Ikole LGA, while voter intimidation was highlighted as a major concern in Moba LGA.
The Situation Room also expressed concern over the persistent challenge of vote trading, describing it as a growing threat to electoral integrity in Ekiti and across the country.
According to the coalition, insecurity and fears of possible spillover violence from neighbouring Kogi State pose significant risks in Ilejemeje LGA, while Ikere-Ekiti and Irepodun/Ifelodun LGAs have been classified as secondary flashpoints owing to misinformation and rising political tensions.
The situation room therefore called on security agencies to remain professional, impartial and fully committed to protecting voters, election officials and electoral materials throughout the electoral process.
The statement reads, “Situation Room will observe the security environment and its impact on voter participation. Citizens should be able to exercise their democratic rights without fear, intimidation, violence or harassment.
“As part of its pre-election assessment, CLEEN Foundation, one of Situation Room partners, identified Ado-Ekiti LGA as the highest-risk location because of the concentration of political actors and election-related activities.
“There are also concerns about political tensions and indications of voter apathy in Ikole LGA. In Moba LGA, voter intimidation was identified as a key concern, while insecurity and fears of spillover of violence from neighbouring Kogi State were highlighted as significant risks in llejemeje LGA.
“In addition, two locations (Ikere-Ekiti and Irepodun/Ifelodun) were identified as secondary flashpoints due to concerns about misinformation and political tensions. In response to this, security agencies must remain professional, impartial and fully committed to protecting voters, election officials and electoral materials throughout the electoral process.
“Historically, off-cycle elections in Ekiti State have raised concerns of voter inducement known as ‘stomach infrastructure’ and the influence of money in the electoral process.
“Similar concerns have been raised in other off-cycle elections across the country, where vote trading and financial inducement have increasingly undermined citizens’ confidence in elections and weakened the principle that public office should be determined by the free choice of voters.
“Situation Room calls on all stakeholders to contribute to a peaceful, credible and transparent electoral process. We urge the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure the timely deployment of personnel and materials, maintain transparency throughout the electoral process, and promptly address any operational challenges that may arise.
“The Security and Law Enforcement Agencies, particularly the Police and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), must take proactive measures to prevent, detect and prosecute electoral offenders before, during and after the election.
“The recent set-up of an EFCC zonal office in Ekiti State presents an opportunity for effective action against electoral corruption. Citizens must be assured that violations of the law will attract consequences.
“Security agencies must remain professional, impartial and accountable in the discharge of their duties, ensuring that voters can freely exercise their constitutional rights without intimidation or harassment.
“Political parties, candidates and their supporters should conduct themselves peacefully, respect the rule of law, and refrain from actions capable of undermining public confidence in the election”.
