INEC Deepens Preparations For Peaceful And Credible Ekiti Governorship Election

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) intensified preparations ahead of the Ekiti State governorship election scheduled for June 20, with the Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan SAN, leading a high-powered delegation on a readiness assessment tour across the state.

As part of the exercise, the INEC Chairman, accompanied by National Commissioners and senior officials, visited Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Area, Ado-Ekiti, and Ikere LGA to evaluate the level of preparedness for the off-cycle election.

The delegation also paid a courtesy visit to the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe Aladesanmi III, where Prof. Amupitan sought royal blessings and support for the successful conduct of the poll. “We are on a national assignment and seek your prayers and support to build a legacy Nigerians will continue to remember,” he stated.

In an emotional moment during the visit, Prof. Amupitan reunited with one of his former teachers, Mr. Ogunmodimu, recalling the positive influence the teacher had on his early life and academic journey.

The INEC Chairman later met with leaders of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Ekiti State, stressing the critical role transportation would play in ensuring timely deployment of personnel and electoral materials.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner for Ekiti State, Dr. Bunmi Omoseyindemi, said the Commission had intensified preparations through stakeholder engagements, voter education, logistics planning, security coordination, and deployment of technology to guarantee a credible election. He described the meeting with the NURTW leadership as strategic, noting that transportation remains central to the movement of personnel, sensitive materials, and voters, particularly in difficult and remote locations.

Also speaking, the Supervising National Commissioner, Mr. Sam Olumekun, emphasized that INEC’s success largely depends on efficient transportation logistics. He reiterated the Commission’s determination to ensure polling units open by 8:30 a.m. on election day, stressing that all vehicles and drivers must be stationed at Registration Area Centres (RACs) before noon on the eve of the election. He appealed to political stakeholders and transport unions to maintain peace and work collectively to preserve Ekiti’s reputation for integrity and credible elections.

Prof. Amupitan disclosed that INEC that effective coordination between Electoral Officers and transport unions was already underway. He urged drivers and transport operators to see their role as a patriotic service to national development, warning against the use of faulty vehicles or politically biased conduct that could undermine the credibility of the election.

Other National Commissioners, including Prof. Sani Adams SAN, Dr. Ken Ukeagu, Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, and Prof. Kunle Ajayi, stressed the importance of professionalism, neutral conduct, early activation of situation rooms, and strict compliance with operational guidelines. In response, Ekiti State NURTW leader, Comrade Olayide Adesina, assured INEC of the union’s full cooperation, pledging that the election would not only be successful but also peaceful and seamless across the state.