…Missing Officials, Faulty Generators, Protest By NYSC Members Recorded
…INEC Insists Setbacks Resolved Before Nightfall
Daud Olatunji
All is set for the Ekiti State governorship election scheduled for Saturday, with 15 political parties fielding candidates amid assurances of adequate security by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Nigeria Police Force, even as last-minute logistical gaps and uneven deployment were recorded across several local government areas.
The election, which is expected to be keenly contested, has four major contenders dominating the race: the All Progressives Congress (APC), with Governor Biodun Oyebanji seeking re-election; the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), represented by Dr. Wole Oluyede; the African Democratic Congress (ADC), fielding Ambassador Dare Bejide; and the Accord Party, represented by Hon. Opeyemi David-Falegan.
Other parties, including the Labour Party (LP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Action Democratic Party (ADP), Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) and Young Progressives Party (YPP), are also participating.
INEC reiterated its readiness for the poll, while security agencies assured residents, observers, journalists, and ad hoc personnel of adequate protection.
The police in the state announced movement restrictions, deployment to strategic locations, and special escort arrangements for election stakeholders, including journalists, NYSC members, and observers.
However, findings from multiple Registration Area Centres (RACs) across Ekiti State on Friday evening, as provided by the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), revealed mixed levels of preparedness, with some centres fully activated while others experienced delays, missing personnel, and late arrival of materials.
In Oye Local Government Area, the St. Mary Primary School RAC, which serves Oye Wards 1 and 2, was still empty as of 5:45pm despite its proximity to the INEC headquarters.
Similar delays were recorded in Ijero LGA, where key RACs such as Ipoti Development Council Hall and Court Hall remained deserted without officials or materials.
In Ilejemeje LGA, observers reported the absence of electoral officers and election materials at Iye 2 and Umuroko Town Hall RACs, while in Irepodun/Ifelodun LGA, several centres, including Igede and Iropora/Esure/Eyo, showed no signs of activity as of early evening, with even security presence lacking at one Super RAC.
Conversely, improved coordination was recorded later in the day in some areas. In Ekiti East LGA, materials were delivered to Community Grammar School, Kota I, while sorting and deployment commenced under police supervision.
At Egboigidi RAC, sensitive and non-sensitive materials were properly separated and secured.
In Ado Ekiti, preparation appeared more organised, with confirmation of material distribution, availability of power supply and generators, and proper documentation processes.
However, temporary absences of officials were reported in some wards before eventual return to duty.
In Efon LGA, sensitive materials were distributed under security watch, although technical issues such as faulty generators were noted. In Ise/Orun LGA, officials confirmed full deployment of materials and security presence, though some polling staff were yet to report.
Ekiti West LGA also witnessed brief disruption following protests by some NYSC members over missing names on INEC deployment lists, despite prior training.
Meanwhile, restricted access to INEC facilities was reported in isolated cases, including an incident in Oye LGA where an accredited observer was denied entry by a security officer.
Despite the early challenges, electoral officials across several LGAs, including Ado, Ekiti East, Ido/Osi, Moba, Irepodun/Ifelodun, Ilejemeje, and Ise/Orun, later confirmed that all RACs had been activated and preparations concluded ahead of the poll.
