Ekiti Election 2026: Police Promise Security and Limit Movement

To ensure many people vote in Saturday’s governorship election in Ekiti State, the police have set up a strong plan to protect voters during and after the election.

The Commissioner of Police for this election, Abayomi Shogunle, shared this on Friday in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, while talking to journalists. He urged voters to come out in large numbers for the poll and promised them safety.

“I want to encourage registered voters. They should come out and vote tomorrow. Nothing will happen to them. We are calling on registered voters to come out and exercise their civic responsibility peacefully,” he said.

Mr Shogunle also asked the public to follow the law and report any suspicious activities to the nearest security agency or call the police emergency line at 08062335577.

He mentioned that officers are already on the ground to make sure the election runs smoothly. “Police escort or police armed guard will also remain with those materials, as well as the INEC staff and the ad hoc staff. And very early tomorrow morning, those materials will be distributed under police escort to all the polling units in Ekiti,” he said.

“That will start very early in the morning, so that all polling units, in collaboration with INEC, we want all polling units to be set up as early as 6:37 to be ready for voting, so that casting of votes will commence at 8:30, which is the stipulated time.”

On the police operational plan, the commissioner said the Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has approved measures to stop any attempt to disrupt or compromise the election. He called it a “multi-layered security approach” and warned trouble-makers to stay away on election day or face the consequences.

Mr Shogunle said, “If voting is to start now, we are fully prepared. Everything that needs to be done has been done. And from my engagement with civil society organisations present here up to last night, we have been receiving the same assessment as our own regarding the level of confidence in security agencies to ensure the election proceeds peacefully without any incidents.

“There is a high level of confidence in security agencies among citizens and residents of Ekiti State. And also, our police officers, we just completed the training for police officers that will be taking part in this election, and they have gone back to sensitise others.

“Two important documents will guide every police action. One is the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended, and the Electoral Act 2026, as amended. So those are the two important documents that will guide police actions and response to issues pertaining to this election.”

He assured that the police would stay neutral during the election. Meanwhile, the police have announced movement restrictions for Saturday’s election.

Ekiti State Police Spokesperson, Sunday Abutu, shared the restriction order on Friday. Mr Abutu said the restriction will begin at midnight (12:00 a.m.) and last until 6:00 p.m. It will cover both intra-state and inter-state roads within Ekiti.