With just two days to the June 20 governorship election in Ekiti State, security agencies, electoral officials and civil society groups have intensified preparations for what is expected to be one of Nigeria’s most closely watched off-cycle elections.
The Independent National Electoral Commission will begin the movement of sensitive election materials to the 16 local government areas of the state on Thursday (today). Meanwhile, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has deployed 10,000 personnel, and the Nigeria Police Force has activated a comprehensive election security framework to safeguard the poll.
The heightened preparations came as the Court of Appeal constituted the Ekiti State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, while the Nigerian Air Force confirmed the successful airlift of sensitive electoral materials to support the election and other by-elections scheduled for the same day.
The developments underscore growing efforts by electoral authorities and security agencies to guarantee a peaceful, transparent and credible election amid heightened political activities across the state.
Ekiti voters are expected to elect a governor from among candidates fielded by 13 political parties contesting the poll across the state’s 16 local government areas, 177 wards and over 2,000 polling units.
The election is widely regarded as a significant political test ahead of the 2027 general election.
Speaking with The PUNCH on Wednesday, the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Ekiti State, Dr Bunmi Omoseyindemi, confirmed that the commission would begin the distribution of sensitive materials to local government areas on Thursday.
The materials include ballot papers, Bimodal Voter Accreditation System machines and voter registers, among other election components required for the conduct of the poll.
Omoseyindemi reiterated the commission’s readiness for the exercise, insisting that all necessary arrangements had been concluded.
“We (INEC) have done most of the things we need to do,” the REC said.
He had earlier assured stakeholders that the commission was fully prepared to conduct a transparent, credible and acceptable election, adding that voting would commence promptly at polling units across the state.
The REC also disclosed that non-sensitive materials had already been distributed ahead of the election.
The movement of sensitive materials marks a crucial stage in the commission’s election timetable and is expected to be closely monitored by political parties, election observers and security agencies.
To ensure the timely delivery of the materials, the Nigerian Air Force confirmed that it had successfully airlifted sensitive electoral materials on behalf of INEC.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the operation was conducted between June 15 and 16 following a request by the electoral commission.
According to him, the mission was designed to guarantee the secure and timely transportation of election materials from Abuja to designated locations across the country.
He explained that the operation covered preparations for the Ekiti governorship election as well as senatorial by-elections in Enugu North Senatorial District of Enugu State, Nasarawa North Senatorial District of Nasarawa State and Rivers South-East Senatorial District of Rivers State.
The airlift also supported federal constituency by-elections in Dawakin Kudu/Warawa Federal Constituency of Kano State and Zuru/Shanga Federal Constituency of Kebbi State.
Ejodame stated that the Air Force deployed its strategic airlift assets to transport the materials from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, to designated airports.
“Leveraging its strategic airlift capabilities, the NAF transported the sensitive electoral materials from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, to designated airports in Enugu, Rivers and Kano States, ensuring that INEC received the materials within the stipulated timeline ahead of the elections,” he said.
