Rights groups say Ekiti governorship election was credible and peaceful
A coalition of human rights organisations, under the Nigerian Human Rights Community, has praised the recent Ekiti State governorship election as credible and meeting international standards. The group highlighted the peaceful nature of the poll and the absence of major irregularities. Biodun Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress was declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission. The coalition commended electoral improvements but also called for further reforms to strengthen the process.
What we know
- The Nigerian Human Rights Community, led by Martins Adeleke, Fred Ojinika, and Abubakar Ahmed, observed the election and described it as free, fair, and credible.
- Biodun Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress won in all 16 local government areas, polling 319,224 votes, while Dr Wole Oluyede of the Peoples Democratic Party scored 40,533 votes and Dare Bejide of the African Democratic Congress polled 12,872 votes.
- The coalition praised INEC’s use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System and electronic transmission of results for enhancing transparency and credibility.
- Election materials were delivered promptly, voting started as scheduled in most locations, and votes were counted openly in the presence of party agents.
- The coalition urged further electoral reforms, including better provisions for special voters and the creation of more polling units, while noting concerns over low voter turnout.
