Ekiti Must Vote, Not Fight

As Ekiti State prepares for its governorship election on Saturday, 20 June, all stakeholders must recognise the importance of conducting a free, fair, peaceful and credible poll. Elections are the foundation of democracy, and their legitimacy depends on the confidence of the electorate that the outcome truly reflects the will of the people.

The forthcoming election presents another opportunity for Nigeria to strengthen its democratic credentials. It is also a chance for political parties, candidates, electoral officials, security agencies and voters to demonstrate their commitment to democratic values and the rule of law.

The greatest threat to any election is the attempt by desperate individuals or groups to manipulate the process. Rigging, vote buying, voter intimidation, ballot snatching, falsification of results and other electoral malpractices have no place in a modern democracy. Such actions undermine public trust, weaken institutions and rob citizens of their fundamental right to choose their leaders freely.

Political parties and candidates must therefore conduct themselves responsibly. The pursuit of political power should never come at the expense of peace and stability. Campaign rhetoric that inflames tensions, spreads misinformation or encourages supporters to engage in violence should be firmly rejected. Victory secured through unlawful means is not a triumph for democracy but a betrayal of it.

Security agencies have a crucial role to play. Their duty is to protect voters, electoral officials and election materials without bias or interference. They must remain professional and impartial throughout the electoral process. Any attempt to use state power to intimidate opponents or influence the outcome of the election must be resisted.

The Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC) as the electoral umpire also bears a heavy responsibility. Transparency, efficiency and strict adherence to electoral guidelines are essential for maintaining public confidence. Every vote must count, and every valid vote must be counted accurately.

Voters themselves must remain vigilant. They should refuse inducements offered in exchange for their votes. The ballot is not a commodity to be bought and sold. Citizens who surrender their votes for temporary gains often pay a far greater price through poor governance and unfulfilled promises. The future of Ekiti is worth far more than any cash handout or material gift.

We also urge young people, who are often targeted by political actors seeking to foment trouble, to resist being used as instruments of violence. Elections come and go, but the consequences of violence can linger for years, leaving communities divided and lives destroyed.

The media, civil society organisations and election observers must continue to play their watchdog role by monitoring the process and exposing any attempts to undermine its integrity. Their vigilance is an important safeguard against abuse.

As Ekiti heads to the polls, the message should be clear: let the electorate decide. Democracy flourishes when citizens are free to vote according to their conscience and when the outcome reflects their collective choice. The winner should emerge through the ballot box, not through coercion, manipulation or violence.

The people of Ekiti deserve an election that is peaceful, transparent and credible. All stakeholders must rise to the occasion and ensure that democracy, fairness and the rule of law prevail. Only then can the election stand as a true expression of the people’s will and a source of pride for the state and the nation.