By Oluwagbemiga Ibitoye
Stakeholders in Ekiti State have reaffirmed their commitment to credible, peaceful, and participatory elections ahead of the June 20, 2026 governorship poll, highlighting the critical roles of voter education, media, INEC responsibility, and adequate security in achieving a transparent electoral process.
The position was made known on Thursday during a two-day media and election stakeholders’ dialogue on credible elections organised by the International Press Centre (IPC) with support from the European Union in Ado Ekiti where police, INEC REC, NOA and journalists were engaged
The Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in the state, Mrs. Oluwakemi Akomolede, said ongoing voter education initiatives would significantly improve public participation. She described the programme as a timely intervention to rebuild public trust in the electoral system, noting that the agency would soon embark on grassroots sensitisation across all local government areas. Akomolede also stressed the importance of media collaboration in amplifying voter awareness, expressing confidence that the efforts could drive up to 70–80 percent improvement in citizens’ participation.
In his remarks, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Bunmi Omosehindemi, emphasized that informed citizens remain the backbone of credible elections. He disclosed that digital tools had been introduced to identify and manage electoral risks, while underscoring the need for sustained voter education through various communication platforms. He added that strong collaboration between the electoral body and the media is essential for effective information dissemination.
On security preparedness, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Sunday Abutu, assured residents and stakeholders of maximum security and neutrality before, during, and after the election. He warned that electoral offenders, including those involved in vote buying, would be arrested and prosecuted, while also guaranteeing the safety of journalists covering the exercise.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Ekiti State, Comrade Kayode Babatuyi, assured that journalists in the state would provide balanced and professional coverage of the electoral process. Similarly, the Executive Director of the Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO), Dr. Akin Akingbulu, reaffirmed his organisation’s readiness to support efforts toward a free, fair, and election
Earlier, the Executive Director of the International Press Centre, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, said the engagement had helped reposition journalists to prioritise public interest in election coverage. He urged media practitioners to combat misinformation and disinformation while holding stakeholders accountable for their commitments.
Selected journalists from Ekiti state were trained on how to make impactful contribution towards the success of the state gubernatorial election billed for 20th June.