Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria | Saturday, June 20, 2026
Voters in Ekiti State are heading to the polls today in the 2026 governorship election, with over 1.02 million PVC holders set to decide the next governor at Oke Ayoba. INEC has commenced distribution of sensitive and non-sensitive materials, while security agencies have activated full deployment to ensure a peaceful process.
Distribution of election materials kicked off early Saturday at the Registration Area Centre (RAC) located at St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Primary School, Irona, Ado-Ekiti.
Both sensitive materials like ballot papers and BVAS machines, plus non-sensitive items, are being sorted and dispatched to polling units across Ado-Ekiti LGA. Transporters are on ground to move materials to the 2,445 polling units in all 16 LGAs.
By 7:15 AM, voters had already started converging at polling units. At Polling Unit 9, Ward 11, sensitive materials arrived early with NYSC ad-hoc staff and police personnel on security duty. Electoral officers are making final preparations ahead of voting scheduled to start at 8:30 AM. The RAC is under heavy security to safeguard officials and ensure orderly movement of materials.
Although 14 political parties are contesting, analysts say the race is mainly between incumbent Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji of APC and Chief Wole Oluyede of PDP. Other notable candidates include Engr. Oluwadare Bejide of ADC and Opeyemi David Falegan of Accord Party.
APC & Oyebanji: The governor, in office since October 2022, is running on infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture, and workers’ welfare. He enjoys backing from President Bola Tinubu, APC leadership, NASS members, traditional rulers, and former governors Niyi Adebayo, Segun Oni, Kayode Fayemi, and Ayodele Fayose. That coalition is being called Ekiti’s broadest political alliance. APC’s 177-ward structure remains its strongest asset. Main challenge: national inflation and cost of living.
PDP & Oluyede: The PDP candidate is campaigning on road rehabilitation, wealth creation, youth empowerment, and economic revival. The party retains loyal support but was weakened by post-primary internal disputes. A major blow: former Gov. Fayose endorsed Oyebanji instead of Oluyede, shifting dynamics in PDP strongholds.
ADC & Bejide: Positioned as a third-force with focus on accountability and reform. Gaining traction with young voters and professionals, but lacks the grassroots structure of APC/PDP.
Accord & Falegan: Strong social media presence targeting youth, but limited grassroots penetration statewide.
SDP Denies Withdrawal: The Social Democratic Party says candidate Isaac Adebayo Alade is still in the race. National Publicity Secretary Araba Rufus Aiyenigba called withdrawal reports “false and misleading”. SDP accused INEC of preventing polling agent deployment but insists Alade signed the INEC peace accord and remains on the ballot.
Voter Readiness & Key Battlegrounds
INEC reports 1.02 million PVCs collected from 1.059 million registered voters — one of the highest readiness rates in recent Nigerian elections. Voting will hold across 2,445 polling units in 16 LGAs.
Key LGAs to watch: Ado-Ekiti due to voter population, plus Ikere, Ikole, Oye, Ijero, Ido/Osi. Afao-Ekiti, Fayose’s hometown and traditional PDP base, is now a political test case after his APC endorsement.
Security, EU Monitors & Election Integrity Warnings
Police Deployment: Commissioner of Police Abayomi Shogunle confirmed multi-layered security with personnel at polling units, collation centers, and flashpoints. IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu assured personnel will act professionally and impartially. Police warned that electoral offenses will be prosecuted under the Electoral Act 2026 and urged voters to avoid unverified info that could cause panic.
EU-SDGN Warning: The EU Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria Election Observation Hub flagged Ekiti 2026 as a test for the new Electoral Act 2026 ahead of 2027 general elections. They commended INEC for BVAS configuration and staff deployment but noted the mock accreditation didn’t test IReV result transmission.
Risks identified:
Alleged vote-buying via pre-funded bank accounts and PVC/NIN data collection in Irepodun/Ifelodun, Ikole, Ikere, Ekiti East, Ekiti West.
Misinformation on Facebook, WhatsApp, TikTok, X about cloned PVCs.
Security concerns: Ado-Ekiti vulnerable to urban violence; Ikole, Moba, Ilejemeje flagged for cross-border crime.
Inclusion: EU urged protection for women and persons with disabilities against economic coercionF and poor access to assistive voting.
EU called for timely polling unit opening, seamless e-transmission of results, and for parties to respect the Peace Accord.
Today, 7 states are having elections in Nigeria:
1. Ekiti State – Main event
Full gubernatorial election. 13 parties, 1.02M voters, 2,445 polling units. Governor Oyebanji vs Oluyede is the big race.
2. By-elections in 6 other states – INEC confirmed these today:
1. Kano State – Dawaki Kudu/Warawa Federal Constituency
2. Kebbi State – Zuru State Constituency
3. Ondo State – Ondo South Senatorial District
4. Rivers State – Rivers South East Senatorial District
5. Nasarawa State – Nasarawa North Senatorial District
6. Enugu State – Enugu North Senatorial District
Voting starts 8:30 AM. Collation will follow after close of polls. The result will determine who governs Ekiti for the next 4 years. With early material deployment and voter turnout already seen in Ado-Ekiti, officials and observers are optimistic about a credible start.
We’ll keep updating this page as results and incidents come in from LGAs.
Sources: All Nigeria newspapers
