Ekiti Guber: 15 parties fight as confusion, delays hit RAC centers ahead of poll

…Missing officials, faulty generators, recorded protests by NYSC members

… INEC insists that the setbacks be resolved before nightfall

Daud Olatunji

All is set for the Ekiti State governorship elections scheduled for Saturday, with 15 political parties fielding candidates amid assurances of adequate security from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Nigeria Police Force, even as logistical gaps and irregular deployment have been reported in several local government areas at the last minute.

The elections, which are expected to be hotly contested, see four main contenders dominate 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), which fields ambassador Dare Bejide; and the Accord Party, represented by the Hon. Opeyemi David-Falegan.

Other parties are also participating, including the Labor Party (LP), the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), the Action Democratic Party (ADP), the Zenith Labor Party (ZLP) and the Young Progressives Party (YPP).

INEC reiterated its readiness for the poll, while security agencies assured residents, observers, journalists and ad hoc personnel of adequate protection.

The state police announced movement restrictions, deployment at strategic locations and special escort arrangements for election stakeholders, including journalists, NYSC members and observers.

However, results on Friday evening from several Registration Area Centers (RACs) across Ekiti State, provided by the Center for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), revealed contrasting levels of preparedness, with some centers fully activated while others experienced delays, missing staff and late arrival of materials.

In Oye Local Government Area, St. Mary’s Primary School RAC, which serves Oye Wards 1 and 2, was still empty at 5.45pm despite its proximity to INEC headquarters.

Similar delays were recorded in Ijero LGA where key RACs such as the Ipoti Development Council hall and the court hall remained deserted without officials or materials.

In Ilejemeje LGA, observers reported the absence of election officials and election materials at RACs in Iye 2 and Umuroko municipality, while in Irepodun/Ifelodun LGA, several centres, including Igede and Iropora/Esure/Eyo, showed no signs of activity in the early evening, with even the absence of security presence at one Super RAC.

On the contrary, in some areas there was an improvement in coordination throughout the day. In Ekiti East LGA, the materials were handed over to Community Grammar School, Kota I, while sorting and distribution began under the supervision of the police.

At the Egboigidi RAC, sensitive and non-sensitive materials were adequately separated and secured.

In Ado Ekiti, preparation appeared more organised, with confirmation of material distribution, availability of electricity and generators and adequate documentation processes.

However, some departments reported temporary absences of officials before returning to duty.

In Efon LGA, sensitive materials were distributed under security surveillance, although technical problems such as faulty generators were detected. In Ise/Orun LGA, officials confirmed the full deployment of materials and security presence, although some polling station workers were yet to report.

Ekiti West LGA also witnessed a brief disruption following protests by some NYSC members over the lack of names in INEC’s deployment lists, despite the previous formation.

Meanwhile, restricted access to INEC facilities has been reported in isolated cases, including an incident in Oye LGA where an accredited observer was denied entry by a security officer.

Despite initial difficulties, electoral officials from 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 had concluded ahead of the poll.

INEC maintained that the delays were addressed before nightfall and expressed confidence in full readiness for the conduct of peaceful, credible and timely elections, with voting expected to begin at 8.30am on Saturday.

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