Peaceful Ekiti election a positive signal for 2027, says UK

The United Kingdom has commended the peaceful and orderly conduct of the June 20, 2026, governorship election in Ekiti State, while congratulating Governor Abiodun Abayomi Oyebanji on his re-election victory.

In a statement, the British High Commission in Abuja praised voters, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, and other stakeholders for their roles in ensuring a largely peaceful electoral process.

Biodun Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress (APC) secured victory in the poll with 319,224 votes, earning a second term in office.

The High Commission described the election as a significant milestone, noting that it was the first major electoral contest conducted under the provisions of the 2026 Electoral Act and its accompanying guidelines.

“The British High Commission in Abuja congratulates the voters in Ekiti State for their participation in the governorship election held on 20 June 2026 and for their commitment to exercise their democratic rights.

“We also offer our congratulations to Governor Abiodun Abayomi Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on his re-election,” the statement said.

According to the Commission, members of its observer team engaged with key electoral stakeholders, including police and INEC officials, before the election to gain insights into the implementation of the new Electoral Act.

The UK observers noted that the collaboration between election officials and security agencies contributed significantly to maintaining peace and order during the exercise.

The Commission also commended efforts made at some polling units to prioritise vulnerable voters, describing the initiative as a positive step towards inclusive participation.

However, it expressed concern that many polling units visited by its observers were physically inaccessible to persons with disabilities, calling for improvements ahead of future elections.

“We encourage continued collaboration among stakeholders to build on areas of good practice to ensure implementation at all polling units ahead of the general elections in 2027,” the statement added.

The High Commission further identified operational challenges associated with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), reporting delays in voter accreditation at some polling centres.

It warned that technical glitches in electoral technology could undermine public confidence in the voting process and discourage voter participation if not promptly addressed.

Beyond logistical concerns, the UK observation team expressed worries over incidents of vote trading and interference by party agents witnessed at some polling units.

The Commission described vote trading as a serious threat to electoral integrity, warning that the practice erodes public trust and weakens democratic institutions.

“Our observation team were concerned to see instances of vote trading and interference by party agents at polling units visited. Vote trading erodes public confidence and undermines the democratic process.

“We call on all actors to take urgent steps to address this corrosive practice,” the statement said.

Looking ahead to the forthcoming governorship election in Osun State, the UK urged electoral stakeholders to apply lessons learned from the Ekiti exercise to strengthen future polls.

The Commission also stressed the importance of credible elections as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections, noting that public confidence in democratic institutions depends largely on the integrity of the electoral process.

It reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s democratic development through collaboration with government institutions, civil society organisations and electoral stakeholders.

“As Nigeria looks towards the 2027 general elections, our partnership remains as important as ever.

“The credibility of the next elections will be vital to public confidence in democratic institutions, to Nigeria’s continued progress, and to its leadership role across Africa,” the statement noted.

The British High Commission congratulated Oyebanji and expressed optimism about sustaining the long-standing partnership between the UK and Ekiti State.