Civil society organizations operating under the European Union Support for Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) umbrella have issued a strong appeal to political parties and candidates participating in the Ekiti State governorship election. The groups, through the Election Observation Hub, emphasized the need to refrain from voter inducement and to uphold democratic principles throughout the electoral process.
In a preliminary election assessment released in Ado-Ekiti, the coalition warned against the weaponization of poverty through vote buying. They stressed that voters must be allowed to exercise their franchise freely, without coercion or financial enticements. The statement was presented by representatives including Samson Itodo of Yiaga Africa, Asabe Ndahi from the Kukah Centre, Akin Akingbulu of CEMESO, Lanre Arogundade of the International Press Centre (IPC), Brenda Anugwom of the Nigerian Women Trust Fund, and Jake Epelle of TAF Africa.
Among the key recommendations, the groups urged political actors to desist from turning poverty into a tool for electoral manipulation. They also called on parties to restrain their agents from engaging in unruly behavior at polling units and collation centers, urge supporters to remain law-abiding and avoid thuggery or violence, and respect the eventual choice of the Ekiti people.
The assessment noted that these are preliminary observations based on information available as of 2 p.m. on the election day. The EU-SDGN Election Observation Hub pledged to continue monitoring the voting process, collation, and announcement of results, with a further statement expected at the conclusion of the election.