The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room has raised the alarm over the potential for financial inducements and violence in some local government areas of the state ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.

The group explained that the security agencies and other stakeholders have the mandate to ensure the sanctity of the poll in line with the constitution and the 2026 Electoral Act.

Addressing journalists on the preliminary statement of the group on Friday in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, the co-convener of Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, Celestine Odo, appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission “to ensure the timely deployment of personnel and materials, maintain transparency throughout the electoral process and promptly address any operational challenges that may arise.

The group said, “There are also concerns about political tensions and indications of voter apathy in Ikole LGA. In Moba LGA, voter intimidation was identified as a key concern, while insecurity and fears of spillover of violence from neighbouring Kogi State were highlighted as significant risks in Ilejemeje LGA.

“In addition, two locations (Ikere-Ekiti and Irepodun/Ifelodun) were identified as secondary flashpoints due to concerns about misinformation and political tensions. In response to this, security agencies must remain professional, impartial and fully committed to protecting voters, election officials and electoral materials throughout the electoral process.

On the challenges of financial inducement, the Situation Room added, “Historically, off-cycle elections in Ekiti State have raised concerns of voter inducement known as ‘stomach infrastructure’ and the influence of money in the electoral process.

“Similar concerns have been raised in other off-cycle elections across the country, where vote trading and financial inducement have increasingly undermined citizens’ confidence in elections and weakened the principle that public office should be determined by the free choice of voters.”

Odo called on the law enforcement agencies, especially the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), “to take proactive measures to prevent, detect and prosecute electoral offenders before, during and after the election.”

According to him, the security agencies must build confidence in the electorate by remaining professional, impartial, and accountable in the discharge of their duties on election day, “ensuring that voters can freely exercise their constitutional rights without intimidation or harassment.” (Nigerian Tribune)

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