INEC Warns of Vote Buying, Thuggery, Fake News as Ekiti Governorship Election Nears

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has sounded the alarm over vote buying, political thuggery, fake news, and logistical challenges threatening the integrity of the Ekiti State governorship election scheduled for June 20, 2026.

The warning was issued during a readiness assessment meeting in Ado-Ekiti on Friday, according to a post on INEC’s X (formerly Twitter) handle. The gathering brought together electoral officials, security agencies under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), and other key stakeholders to review preparations for the poll.

Speaking at the meeting, the Ekiti State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Bunmi Omoseyindemi, stated that while INEC has intensified efforts to strengthen the electoral process, several risks could still undermine a credible election.

“Vote buying, political thuggery, fake news, transportation difficulties, and insecurity in hard-to-reach communities remain key threats to the electoral process,” he said.

Dr. Omoseyindemi noted that INEC has scaled up voter education, improved logistics planning, trained election personnel, and engaged political parties, traditional rulers, civil society organizations, and the media to enhance preparedness.

“We have strengthened voter education, logistics planning, training of election personnel, and engagements with stakeholders to guarantee a successful election,” he added. He stressed that collaboration among electoral and security stakeholders would be crucial in addressing potential disruptions and maintaining public confidence in the process.

Also speaking, the Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, Falade Micheal, assured that security agencies were fully prepared to ensure a peaceful electoral environment.

He emphasized the importance of intelligence sharing and inter-agency cooperation, warning that any conduct capable of undermining the process would not be tolerated.

“We are fully committed to maintaining law and order before, during, and after the election,” he said, adding that misinformation, violence, and electoral malpractice would be dealt with decisively.

The meeting concluded with a joint commitment from INEC and security agencies to strengthen coordination and ensure a credible, peaceful, and transparent governorship election in Ekiti State.