Ekiti Guber Poll: INEC Flags Ado, Ikole, 9 Other LGAs Risk Zones

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has identified Ado Ekiti, Ikole, and nine other local government areas as high-risk zones ahead of the June governorship election in Ekiti State, raising concerns over insecurity, voter inducement and misinformation.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, made the disclosure on Friday in Ado Ekiti during a meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), where he described the off-cycle polls in Ekiti and Osun as a “litmus test” for the 2027 general elections.

Amupitan said comprehensive risk assessments had been conducted across all 16 local government areas, leading to the classification of several flashpoints based on patterns of violence, kidnapping, cultism and ballot disruption.

According to him, the affected councils include Ado Ekiti (thuggery and cultism), Ikole (kidnapping and violence), Emure (kidnapping), Ekiti East (vandalism), Ikere (thuggery), Ekiti South West (thuggery), Ilejemeje (kidnapping and thuggery), Irepodun/Ifelodun (cultism and ballot snatching), Moba (kidnapping and thuggery) and Oye (kidnapping and thuggery).

He also disclosed that 469 polling units located within 500 metres of identified hotspots had been mapped out for special security attention.

“We have carried out a comprehensive risk analysis of all the LGAs in Ekiti State and identified and marked out risk-prone areas,” Amupitan said, adding that security deployment had been aligned with the findings.

The INEC chairman warned against misinformation and fake news, noting that deliberate attempts to spread panic before, during and after the polls could undermine public confidence and trigger violence. He urged security agencies to maintain neutrality and vigilance across polling units.

Amupitan said preparations for the election had reached an advanced stage, including configuration of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), recruitment of ad-hoc staff, and logistics arrangements with transport unions for movement of personnel and materials.

He added that the commission would soon commence distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) across the 177 wards in the state, urging political actors and community leaders to encourage collection by eligible voters.

“Without a safe and secure environment, the complex logistics of an election cannot succeed,” he said, commending security agencies for their readiness, including planned deployments, visibility patrols and tactical mapping of flashpoints.

He also warned that vote buying would be met with coordinated enforcement involving the EFCC and ICPC, stressing that the integrity of the ballot must be protected.

Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, Falade Michael, assured that security agencies had intensified preparations, including protection of INEC facilities and surveillance of border communities identified as flashpoints.

He noted that misinformation remained a major concern, calling for stronger public sensitisation by the National Orientation Agency.

Resident Electoral Commissioner, Bunmi Omoseyindemi, described the security meeting as critical, saying collaboration among stakeholders had strengthened logistics planning, personnel training and engagement with political actors, traditional rulers and civil society groups.

He, however, warned that voter apathy and disinformation could still undermine turnout and credibility if not urgently addressed.

INEC reiterated that lessons from previous elections, including the November 2025 governorship poll in Anambra State, had shaped its current preparedness, with emphasis on early deployment, inter-agency coordination and strict enforcement of electoral laws.

The commission said the goal remains to deliver a credible, inclusive and secure election that reflects the will of the people of Ekiti State.