Osun, Ekiti Guber Elections, Litmus Test For 2027 – Amupitan

Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC Prof Joash Amupitan says the Ekiti and Osun off cycle governorship elections will be a litmus test and a mirror for the 2027 general election.

Speaking at a meeting of the Interagency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) in Ado Ekiti, Prof Amupitan warned against the spread of misinformation and disinformation with the aim of creating panic before, during and after the elections.

He told the Security agents to beware of those who might be out to frustrate the conduct of the elections.

“All must make conscious efforts to ensure that this country works”

Prof Amupitan said that steering the preparations for the upcoming off-cycle election represents a continuous commitment of the commission, while assuring that the commission will deliver a free, fair, and credible election that genuinely reflects the choices of the people of Ekiti State.

He stressed that following a series of comprehensive readiness assessments conducted across selected Local Government Areas of the state, the Commission is confident in its operational trajectory.

“We are currently configurating the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) to guarantee optimal performance on Election Day. Our ad-hoc staff recruitment via the INECPRES portal has also progressed systematically, ensuring that we are fully prepared for large-scale, professional deployment across all designated polling units. ”

“To guarantee that no eligible citizen is left behind, the Commission will soon deliver the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) for the first and second phase CVR across the 177 Registration Areas (Wards) in Ekiti State. Our mandate is to conduct an inclusive and transparent election, and we are determined that no eligible voter should be disenfranchised due to administrative bottlenecks.”

“I call upon all community leaders, civil society organisations, and political actors to actively assist us in mobilising the electorate to collect their cards at the designated centers before the conclusion of the exercise.”

He stressed that security agencies remain the bedrock of the commission’s field operations; adding that without a safe and secure environment, the complex logistics of an election cannot succeed.

According to him, during preliminary field assessment in Ekiti, security chiefs provided reassuring updates on comprehensive personnel deployments, visibility patrols, and the tactical mapping of potential flashpoints.

“Representatives of the Police, DSS, NSCDC, and the military have collectively guaranteed a robust security presence before, during, and after the election. Given the unique, hilly terrain of Ekiti State, seamless synergy among all security arms is non-negotiable.”

In a presentation the Ekiti State Commissioner or Police , Falade Micheal assured that security agencies would give maximum protection to the citizens before, during and after the election and would work to protect the commission’s staff and property.

He disclosed that the Police is currently providing security cover for all INEC offices across the state, but was quick to point out that flash points identified across the state are mainly in border areas.

The police chief said the major concern is the issue of misinformation and fake news which he said are capable of creating tension and fear in the minds of the people.

He said the National Orientation Agency should be mobilised to carry out series of sensitisation ahead of the election, assuring of a hitch free governorship election.

Resident Electoral Commissioner in Ekiti state, Bunmi Omoseyindemi said the meeting was timely and strategic considering the critical importance of election security and intelligence collaboration in the successful conduct of credible and inclusive elections.

He said the ICCES framework has continued to provide a strong platform for coordination, intelligence sharing and professionalism among the security agencies and the commission.

Kayode Oyedare, Edited By Grace Namiji