Ekiti Election: Group Urges Strict Action Against Vote Buying, Electoral Violence

Peering Advocacy and Advancement Centre in Africa (PAACA) has called for stronger enforcement of electoral laws ahead of the 20 June 2026 governorship election in Ekiti State, warning that weak accountability mechanisms continue to undermine the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process.

Speaking at a press briefing on Wednesday, PAACA’s Executive Director, Ezenwa Nwagwu, said though laws against electoral offences exist,  their impact has been limited by inconsistent enforcement and a lack of visible sanctions.

He noted that practices such as vote buying, ballot manipulation, and voter intimidation persist not because Nigerians accept them, but because institutions have failed to respond decisively.

“To address vote buying and other electoral offences, we must move beyond voter education to visible enforcement,” he said. “There must be protection for whistleblowers and clear consequences for those who violate the law.”

Nwagwu spoke against the backdrop of findings from a pre-election survey conducted by PAACA in collaboration with InterpreteAfrica across Ekiti State’s three senatorial districts. The survey highlighted key risks and public perceptions ahead of the poll.

According to the data, a majority of respondents consider electoral malpractice wrong and deserving of punishment, with many indicating a willingness to report such incidents. However, PAACA raised concerns over whether existing systems are equipped to act on such reports.

The organisation warned that without swift investigation and prosecution of offenders, public disapproval of electoral malpractice may remain symbolic while the practice continues unchecked.

PAACA also urged key institutions, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Nigeria Police Force, and the judiciary, to demonstrate a commitment to accountability by promptly investigating and prosecuting electoral offences.

The group stressed that restoring public trust in the electoral process depends not only on the existence of laws, but on the credibility of institutions responsible for enforcing them.

The survey also revealed broader concerns about the upcoming election, particularly regarding security. About 70 per cent of respondents identified security as a top priority, while 57 per cent expressed concern about election-related violence.

PAACA noted that in several local government areas, including Ilejemeje, Oye, Ekiti South West, and Moba, fears of violence were even more pronounced, raising the risk of reduced voter turnout. “Security is not just a governance issue; it is central to electoral participation,” Nwagwu said. “If citizens feel unsafe, they are less likely to vote, and that weakens democracy.”

The organisation further highlighted a gap in youth participation: older voters showed stronger turnout intentions than younger citizens, who, despite being more active online, demonstrated lower levels of engagement and Permanent Voter Card (PVC) ownership.

PAACA also pointed to mixed levels of public confidence in the electoral process. While 62 per cent of respondents expressed confidence in INEC’s preparedness and 54 per cent trusted the electronic transmission of results, awareness of key electoral reforms remained uneven across parts of the state.

The group emphasised the need for intensified voter education to ensure that citizens not only participate in the process but also understand the systems that underpin electoral credibility.

On political campaigns, PAACA urged parties and candidates to focus on issue-based engagement, noting that voters in Ekiti have shown clear priorities, including security, job creation, electricity, and infrastructure.

“As citizens become more issue-conscious, political actors must rise to meet that expectation,” Nwagwu said. “Campaigns should focus on practical solutions rather than rhetoric and personality politics.”