By Ojima-ojo Abubakar
13 political parties contesting the June 20, 2026 governorship elections in Ekiti state have signed a peace agreement ahead of the elections with a commitment to ensuring lasting peace before, during and after the elections.
Among those who signed the peace accord on Thursday at Ado Ekiti is the current governor of the state and candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Biodun Oyebanji who pledged the commitment of the people of the state to lasting peace.
The governor spoke just as the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan admonished the parties to ensure that they practice what they signed ahead of the elections.
The INEC Chairman said the peace accord should not just be on paper, but should be put into practice, adding that Ekiti has been known for political awareness and peaceful conduct and should therefore replicate it during the elections.
He commended the National Peace Committee (NPC) for their enduring custodianship of democratic stability in Nigeria, stressing that their tireless efforts in gathering political actors around a unified architecture of non-violence continue to shield democracy from structural discord.
He noted that following the successful containment of pre-election anxieties during the Anambra State off-cycle Governorship Election in November 2025, the commission is determined to replicate this vital mechanism ahead of the Ekiti State Governorship Election scheduled for Saturday, 20th June 2026.
He said that when the commission recognised that electoral friction is not exclusive to federal contests, it requested the NPC to devolve the signing of the Peace Accord to off-cycle gubernatorial polls.
Amupitan said that since that maiden devolution in Edo State in September 2020, the commission have successfully institutionalised it across multiple states.
He added that “time and experience have proven that where political leaders honour their commitments, the peace on paper translates directly to safety on the streets.
“Today, as 13 political parties prepare to enter the field in Ekiti, we are reminded that this document is not a mere bureaucratic formality; it is a moral treaty signed before the citizens of this state and the global community.
“For the commission, our commitment to the letters of this Accord is reflected in our advanced level of operational readiness. Our deployment will cover 16 Local Government Areas, 177 Registration Areas, and 2,445 Polling Units.
“Only yesterday, the Certified True Copy of the harmonised Voters Register for Ekiti State to be used during the election was presented to the Political Parties. In all, 1,059,360 registered voters are eligible to vote during the election.
“Across our upcoming off-cycle polls —specifically the Ekiti and Osun gubernatorial elections, alongside imminent bye-elections in Nasarawa, Enugu, Rivers, Ondo, Kebbi, and Kano states— the commission is mobilising a highly disciplined corps of 52,446 NYSC members to serve as the operational frontline of our polling units.
“The commission has equally taken deliberate steps to address operational challenges and ensure a smooth, credible election across the state. We have extensively engaged our officials, and we will do same with transport providers, and security agencies to fine-tune deployment arrangements for personnel and election materials across the 2,445 Units, Ward Collation Centres, Local Government Collation Centres, and ultimately, the State Collation Centre in Ado-Ekiti.”
The INEC boss said that as of Monday, 18th May 2026, a total of 54 media organisations and 470 accredited journalists have applied to cover the Ekiti election, with numbers expected to climb before our portal closes on Sunday, 7th June 2026.
He said that 96 domestic and two international observers have been accredited to ensure total transparency.
Prof Amupitan said, “INEC does not look for a particular outcome; we are interested only in a lawful process. We have refined our logistics, audited our technological frameworks, and fortified result management paths to eliminate systemic vulnerabilities. However, institutional readiness cannot stand alone without political decorum.
“It is not the signatures written today that preserve democracy; it is the character of the leaders who hold the pen. If campaigns are characterised by incitement or subversion, the process is compromised long before the first ballot is cast.
“I urge all candidates to cascade the spirit of this Peace Accord down to their grassroots party structures. Let your followers understand that leadership won at the expense of human life and public trust is a hollow victory.
“Through the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), robust, proactive measures have been institutionalised to guarantee safety across all 2,445 polling units. Let me reiterate that our stance against vote-trading, voter intimidation, and thuggery remains absolute.
“Any individual or group seeking to subvert the sovereign will of the Ekiti electorate will be met with the firm, unyielding hand of justice.
“The people of Ekiti State have historically preserved a legacy of intellect, honour, and civility. I call on you to protect that reputation. Let this election serve as a masterclass in democratic maturity and an encouraging prologue to our grander projections for the 2027 General Election, where our manpower requirements will scale to a massive 1.4 million ad-hoc workforce.
“By signing this Peace Accord, we are not only affirming our dedication to non-violence and mutual respect among all stakeholders, but we are also sending a strong message to our citizens: that democracy thrives when peace prevails. Each one of us has a part to play in this process, and I urge all political parties, candidates, and their supporters to adhere to the principles of this accord.
“Let us work together to ensure that the upcoming election is remembered not for division or discord, but for its spirit of unity and the pursuit of common goals. Let us demonstrate to the world that Ekiti State is a beacon of hope, resilience, and democratic values”.
Chairman of the National Peace Committee and former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar said signing the peace accord is not merely ceremonial, but a collective commitment to peaceful, credible, free, and fair elections.
Represented by Gen. Martin Agwai, the former Nigerian Leader said the peace accord represents the resolve of all stakeholders to promote issue-based campaigns, political tolerance, respect for the rule of law, and the rejection of violence, hate speech, and all forms of electoral misconduct.
He said, “Ekiti state is widely respected for its political awareness and democratic culture. It is therefore important that all political actors and supporters conduct themselves peacefully and responsibly throughout the election to enable all of us show that Ekiti state is a very politically aware state.
“As we approach the election, we must remember that no political ambition is worth the loss of life or destruction of peace in our communities.
“Election will come and go, but the peace and unity of the state must remain endured. The National Peace Committee commands all stakeholders working to ensure peaceful elections in the state and urges political parties, candidates, and their supporters to abide not only by the letter but also by the spirit of the peace accord they are about to sign.
“Peace is a shared responsibility and democracy can only thrive in a peaceful atmosphere. So we, as members of the National Peace Committee, want to work with all parties and all stakeholders to make sure that democracy becomes strong and firm so that we will have peace and where there is peace, there will be development and progress.”
The Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu said the signing of this Peace Accord is a strong reminder that elections should be a contest of ideas and service, not conflict and division.
According to the IGP, democracies thrive best in an atmosphere of peace, tolerance, mutual respect, and adherence to the rule of law, saying “as security agencies, we recognise the enormous responsibility placed upon us to support the conduct of a peaceful, credible, and transparent election”.
He assured that the Nigerian Police Force, working in collaboration with other security agencies, under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Electoral Duty, has made adequate security arrangements to ensure a secure environment before, during, and after the election.
According to him, comprehensive deployment plans have been conducted for all the local governments, the world’s, and over 2,400 polling units across the Ekiti State, saying “security personnel and operational assets will be strategically deployed to guarantee the safety of voters, electoral officers, election observers, and all citizens participating in the democratic process.
“I wish to affirm that Nigerian police will remain professional, impartial, and fully committed to the protection of democratic values throughout the electoral process. Our personnel have been adequately briefed on their responsibilities and rules of engagement, and will discharge their duties with civility, firmness, and respect for the rights of every citizen.
“While security agencies will continue to play their parts, peaceful elections also require the cooperation and sincerity of political actors, the candidates, supporters, and indeed every stakeholder.”
