The Nigerian Bar Association has released its preliminary report on the Ekiti State Governorship Election held on June 20, 2026, describing the poll as generally peaceful and orderly, but expressing concern over widespread vote-buying, voter inducement, BVAS-related challenges and isolated incidents of electoral malpractice.
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The report was issued by the NBA Election Observation Mission led by Mr. Festus Okoye, Esq., Chairman of the NBA Election Working Group and former National Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Other members of the NBA delegation included the First Vice President of the Association, Mr. Sabastine Anyia; the General Secretary, Dr. Mobolaji Idris Ojibara; the National Publicity Secretary, Mrs. Bridget Edokwe; the National Welfare Secretary, Mr. Auta Nyada; and other legal practitioners deployed across the state.
The NBA said it deployed observers across all 16 Local Government Areas of Ekiti State, including polling units, Registration Areas and collation centres, to monitor the deployment of election officials and materials, voter accreditation, BVAS functionality, voting procedures, conduct of party agents, security arrangements, compliance with electoral laws, counting and early collation.
According to the report, Ekiti State had 1,059,360 registered voters for the 2026 governorship election, compared with 987,647 registered voters in 2023. It also noted that the number of Permanent Voter Cards collected rose from 958,052 in 2023, representing 97.0 per cent, to 1,028,929 in 2026, representing 97.1 per cent of registered voters.
The NBA observed that election officials and materials were generally deployed effectively across the state, with materials arriving early in several polling units monitored by the Association. It said most polling units visited had the required number of presiding and assistant presiding officers, while accreditation and voting commenced around 8:30 a.m. in most locations.
The Association, however, noted that isolated delays occurred in some polling units due to technical issues with accreditation devices.
On voter turnout, the NBA said observers recorded marginally fair turnout in several rural and semi-urban centres, but low turnout in many urban centres. It noted fair participation in some polling units in Ado Ekiti, Ayekire/Gbonyin, Ekiti South West, Ekiti West and Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Areas.
The report also highlighted impressive female participation in Ayekire/Gbonyin and Ekiti South West Local Government Areas, where women reportedly constituted between 60 and 65 per cent of voters observed in several polling units.
The NBA said political party agents were present at virtually all monitored polling units, including agents of the APC, PDP and ADC. It, however, raised concerns that some agents allegedly attempted to influence voters, questioned voters about their voting preferences, accompanied voters into voting areas and engaged in activities capable of compromising ballot secrecy.
On BVAS performance, the Association said the device functioned satisfactorily in most polling units observed, with successful fingerprint and facial recognition recorded in many locations.
However, it reported technical challenges in some polling units, including Ojuoba/Idoore II, Ward 6 Unit 11, Agbado Ekiti; Ward 8 Unit 001, Odole Camp, Ise Ekiti; Oke Ese Polling Unit, Ado Ekiti; Ogbon Omo Area Polling Unit; and Open Space at Maternity, Ijafin.
The report also noted BVAS challenges in parts of Oye, Ikole and Ekiti East Local Government Areas, adding that network issues and system downtime caused delays in some polling units, with some corps members reportedly relying on personal internet connections to access BVAS.
On security, the NBA said police officers and personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps were present at most monitored polling units and maintained order during the exercise. It described the security arrangements as adequate and commendable, noting that the election was largely peaceful across the state.
The Association said voters generally conducted themselves peacefully and complied with accreditation and voting procedures in most polling units visited.
However, the NBA identified vote-buying and voter inducement as the major concern of the election.
According to the report, vote-buying and vote-selling took a sophisticated and systemic form in some locations, involving the compromise of ballot secrecy, issuance of tally slips to compromised voters and collection of money at designated points after voting.
The NBA said observers reported incidents of money distribution before and after voting, vote-buying at Ward 7 Polling Unit 80, Opopogboro Comprehensive Primary School II, Town Hall Area in Awo, St. Michael Primary School B.K. II/Water Works Area, St. Michael Primary School B.K. I/Water Works Area, Idogun Area in Iworoko, Open Space at Maternity in Ijafin and Pa Ologbesere’s Compound Polling Unit.
The report also noted allegations that a political actor was involved in vote-buying at Ward 6 Unit 2, Maternity Centre, Agbado Ekiti, and allegedly prevented observers from monitoring the activity.
It further listed allegations of party agents thumbprinting ballot papers on behalf of voters, attempts by party agents to influence voters within polling units, voting by persons without voter cards after their names were found on the register, and interference with the secrecy of voting.
In Ikole Local Government Area, the NBA said observers reported a more organised form of vote-buying involving tally slips and subsequent cash payments. It also reported incidents of vote-buying and interference at Fakeye Hall and Awo Town Hall in Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Area.
The Association, however, noted that observers in parts of Ekiti South West, Ijero, Emure and Ise/Orun Local Government Areas reported no incidents of vote-buying during the observation period.
The NBA also reported isolated cases of interference with electoral activities, including disruption of voting activities at Agbado Ekiti by political actors and alleged disruption of vote counting at St. Michael Primary School, B.K. II/Water Works Area, after a party agent was reportedly taken away from the polling unit by unidentified persons.
In its preliminary assessment, the NBA said the election was generally peaceful across most monitored polling units, with early arrival of materials, adequate deployment of officials and security personnel, and largely orderly accreditation and voting.
It, however, said the reports of vote-buying, voter inducement, BVAS challenges, alleged ballot interference by party agents, disruption of counting and isolated interference with electoral activities were serious issues that required attention.
The Association recommended that security agencies investigate and bring to justice those involved in vote-buying and vote-selling, while INEC should set up appropriate mechanisms for their prosecution.
It also urged political parties and their agents to comply strictly with electoral laws and avoid conduct capable of compromising ballot secrecy and the integrity of the process.
The NBA further called on INEC to improve BVAS reliability, strengthen network support and contingency measures, and consider enhancing the design of voting cubicles to better protect ballot secrecy and reduce opportunities for vote-buying and vote-verification schemes.
The Association also encouraged INEC and relevant stakeholders to explore technology-driven innovations to improve electoral efficiency, transparency, accessibility and security, including studying electronic and remote voting models where appropriate safeguards exist.
The report was dated June 20, 2026, and signed by the NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, and Festus Okoye, Esq., Chairman of the NBA Election Working Group.
The NBA said it would issue a comprehensive final report with detailed findings, analysis and recommendations after the conclusion of the electoral process.
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