By Law Ibitoye
The Ekiti State Government has announced plans to embark on a statewide sensitisation tour aimed at boosting residents’ participation in the June 20 governorship election through the use of arts, culture, and creative expressions.
The Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Prof. Rasaki Ojo Bakare, disclosed this on Monday during a press conference in Ado-Ekiti. He explained that the initiative is designed to educate citizens on the importance of voting and guide them on proper voting procedures.
Bakare also revealed that Governor Biodun Oyebanji has approved an additional tranche of funds for the Ekiti State Arts Endowment Fund, targeted at supporting workers and practitioners in the arts, culture, and creative sector.
According to the commissioner, the sensitisation tour will deploy drama, music, and other creative performances to communicate key electoral messages in local languages that resonate with the people. He stressed that the initiative is not a political campaign but a civic education effort rooted in “Theatre for Development,” aimed at supporting government policies and programmes.
He noted that the tour, scheduled to commence on March 28, will span communities across the three senatorial districts—Ekiti Central, North, and South—running through April. Bakare said the programme would focus on educating residents about proper voting techniques, including thumbprinting and ballot paper handling, to reduce the incidence of void votes.
He added that the exercise would also highlight the benefits of civic participation and the consequences of voter apathy.
“The intervention is to complement the efforts of the National Orientation Agency and the Independent National Electoral Commission in ensuring a smooth electoral process,” he said.
The commissioner further disclosed that the tour would address misconceptions and fears surrounding elections, including concerns about security presence and violence, which often discourage voter turnout. He cited findings from the ministry’s research indicating that some residents avoid elections entirely, opting to stay away in farms to evade perceived risks.
In addition to electoral education, Bakare said the ministry would use the platform to sensitise residents on environmental issues, particularly the causes and prevention of flooding. He identified indiscriminate dumping of refuse in drainages and illegal construction on waterways as major contributors. He emphasised that the initiative is part of the government’s broader effort to ensure a peaceful, inclusive, and credible electoral process by equipping citizens with the knowledge needed to participate effectively.
Present at the press conference are the Permanent Secretary, Prince Adebanji Adelusi, Specia Assistant to the Governor on Culture, Honorable Adewale Igbeda and all other Directors of the Ministry.