The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has described the overall conduct of the Ekiti State Governorship Election held on Saturday as peaceful and orderly across most parts of the state.
In a preliminary report released by its Election Observation Mission, the NBA said the election was generally conducted in a calm atmosphere, with early deployment of election officials and materials, adequate security presence, and satisfactory voter accreditation and voting processes in many polling units monitored across the 16 local government areas of the state.
The observation mission was led by former Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) National Commissioner, Festus Okoye, and included senior officials of the association such as NBA First Vice President, Sabastine Anyia; General Secretary, Dr. Mobolaji Idris Ojibara; National Publicity Secretary, Bridget Edokwe; and National Welfare Secretary, Auta Nyada.
According to the report, election materials arrived early in most polling units visited, while accreditation and voting commenced around 8:30 a.m. in many locations. The NBA noted that security personnel from the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were present at most polling units and generally maintained order throughout the exercise.
The association also commended voters for their peaceful conduct and adherence to electoral guidelines. It observed strong participation by women in several communities, particularly in Ayekire/Gbonyin and Ekiti South West Local Government Areas, where women accounted for between 60 and 65 per cent of voters observed in some polling units.
However, the report identified vote-buying as the most significant challenge recorded during the election.
According to the NBA, the practice assumed a “sophisticated and systemic dimension,” involving the compromise of ballot secrecy, the issuance of tally slips to voters, and the payment of cash inducements at designated locations.
Observers reported incidents of vote-buying and voter inducement in several polling units, including Ward 7 Polling Unit 80, Opopogboro Comprehensive Primary School II, Town Hall Area in Awo, St. Michael Primary School B.K. I and II in Ado-Ekiti, Idogun Area in Iworoko, and Open Space at Maternity in Ijafin.
The association also received reports that some political agents attempted to influence voters, questioned voters about their choices, accompanied them into voting areas, and engaged in activities capable of compromising ballot secrecy.
In addition to vote-buying concerns, the NBA documented technical issues involving the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) in several polling units across Ado-Ekiti, Ise/Orun, Oye, Ikole, Ekiti East and other locations. The challenges reportedly caused delays in voter accreditation, while network disruptions forced some election officials to rely on personal internet connections to access the system.
The report further highlighted isolated incidents of interference with electoral activities.
In Agbado-Ekiti, observers reported disruption of voting activities by political actors, while in Ado-Ekiti’s St. Michael Primary School B.K. II/Water Works Area, the counting process was allegedly disrupted after a party agent was taken away from the polling unit by unidentified individuals.
Despite these incidents, the NBA maintained that the election was largely peaceful and orderly across most monitored polling units.
Reports from Ado-Ekiti, Ayekire/Gbonyin, Ekiti South West, Ijero, Emure and Ise/Orun local government areas indicated adequate deployment of personnel and materials, satisfactory security arrangements, functional BVAS operations, and orderly voter behaviour.
To address the challenges identified, the association called on security agencies to investigate and prosecute individuals involved in vote-buying and other electoral offences.
It also urged INEC to improve BVAS reliability, strengthen network support and contingency measures, and explore technology-driven innovations to enhance transparency and efficiency in future elections.
The NBA further recommended stricter enforcement of electoral laws, improved protection of ballot secrecy, and continued efforts by political parties and election officials to uphold the integrity of the electoral process.
While commending the people of Ekiti State for their peaceful participation in the election, the association said concerns over vote-buying, voter inducement, technical glitches and isolated cases of electoral malpractice underscore the need for sustained electoral reforms.
The NBA said it would release a comprehensive final report after the conclusion of the electoral process, containing detailed findings, analysis and recommendations.
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