CP Shogunle expresses satisfaction over election conduct
The Commissioner of Police in charge of the 2026 Ekiti State governorship election, Dr Abayomi Shogunle, expressed happiness regarding the manner the Saturday election proceeded. He stated that the exercise demonstrated the success of what was planned to be achieved.
Shogunle made these remarks while speaking with journalists in his entourage around polling units in Ekiti State on June 20, 2026.
Polling unit observations
The Commissioner reported that accreditation and voting commenced right on time at the locations he visited. He noted a peaceful and orderly voting process without serious incidents during his tour of Ekiti South and Ekiti Central Senatorial Districts.
Shogunle, accompanied by police officers and journalists, inspected polling units in Ado Ekiti before proceeding to Iyin, Igede, Ilawe, Ikogosi, Erijiyan, Aramoko, and Isan among others. In Ado Ekiti specifically, many voters were observed voting after accreditation.
Security measures
Prior to the election, Shogunle unveiled a multi-layered security architecture for the event. He ordered a border lockdown and declared a zero-tolerance stance against electoral violence. On June 20, he reassured voters and stakeholders of a peaceful exercise, noting heightened security presence around identified flashpoints.
Official statements
The Nigeria Police Force completed comprehensive security deployments across all 2,545 polling units, critical infrastructure, and entry/exit routes for the election. Dr Bunmi Omoseyindemi, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for INEC in Ekiti, commended voters and election officials for peaceful and professional conduct.
Dr Omoseyindemi stated that the election was largely peaceful with no reports of violence at the time of his comments. The Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) reported that accreditation and voting generally commenced on time and proceeded peacefully and orderly in most observed polling units across the 16 Local Government Areas.
Security personnel presence
CJID observers consistently reported the presence of professional security personnel at polling units, maintaining order without interfering with the voting process. The European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) Election Observation Hub noted a largely peaceful overall security situation with adequate deployment of security personnel.
Technical challenges
The Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) functioned effectively in most polling units observed by CJID and the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room. However, isolated technical concerns and delays with BVAS were reported. Additionally, CJID observers noted one incident where a ballot paper was issued to a voter without a Permanent Voter Card in Irepodun/Ifelodun LGA.
Reports of irregularities
The EU-SDGN Election Observation Hub reported 24 incidents of electoral offenses across nine LGAs. Vote-buying and voter intimidation emerged as key concerns, particularly in Irepodun/Ifelodun and Ado-Ekiti LGAs.
The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room reported vote-buying and voter inducement in some polling units in Ado-Ekiti, Ikere, and Gboyin LGAs. They noted instances where voters were allegedly rewarded after voting.
Candidate allegations
Isolated technical concerns regarding the voters' register were also observed by CJID observers, who reported prospective voters experiencing difficulty locating their names in some locations.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, Ambassador Dare Bejide, alleged that All Progressives Congress (APC) members openly distributed money to induce voters at his polling unit in Ilawe-Ekiti. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Dr Wole Oluyede, alleged widespread irregularities, voter harassment, intimidation, and challenges with BVAS at his polling unit.
Dr Oluyede claimed many voters were unable to vote due to these issues. Shogunle stated that no reports of vote-buying or selling had been received up until the time he spoke on June 20, 2026.