With just two days to the June 20 governorship election in Ekiti State, security agencies, electoral officials and civil society organisations have intensified preparations for what is expected to be one of Nigeria’s most closely watched off-cycle elections.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is expected to begin the distribution of sensitive election materials to the state’s 16 local government areas on Thursday, while the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has deployed 10,000 personnel and the Nigeria Police Force has activated a comprehensive election security plan.

The heightened preparations came as the Court of Appeal constituted the Ekiti State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, while the Nigerian Air Force confirmed the successful airlift of sensitive electoral materials to support the governorship election and other by-elections scheduled for June 20.

The developments underscore growing efforts by electoral authorities and security agencies to ensure a peaceful, transparent and credible poll amid heightened political activities across the state.

A total of 13 political parties are participating in the election, which will be conducted across 16 local government areas, 177 wards and over 2,000 polling units. The contest is widely regarded as a major political test ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking on Wednesday, the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Ekiti State, Dr Bunmi Omoseyindemi, confirmed that the commission would commence the distribution of sensitive materials to local government areas on Thursday.

The materials include ballot papers, Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines, voter registers and other election materials required for the conduct of the poll.

Omoseyindemi said INEC had concluded virtually all necessary preparations for the election.

“We (INEC) have done most of the things we need to do,” he said.

He reiterated that the commission was fully prepared to conduct a transparent, credible and acceptable election, adding that non-sensitive materials had already been distributed.

The movement of sensitive materials marks one of the final stages in the commission’s election timetable and is expected to be closely monitored by political parties, election observers and security agencies.

To facilitate timely distribution, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) confirmed it had successfully airlifted sensitive electoral materials on behalf of INEC.

In a statement, the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the operation was carried out between June 15 and 16 following INEC’s request.

According to him, the mission covered the Ekiti governorship election, senatorial by-elections in Enugu North, Nasarawa North and Rivers South-East, as well as federal constituency by-elections in Dawakin Kudu/Warawa (Kano) and Zuru/Shanga (Kebbi).

“Leveraging its strategic airlift capabilities, the NAF transported the sensitive electoral materials from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, to designated airports in Enugu, Rivers and Kano States, ensuring that INEC received the materials within the stipulated timeline ahead of the elections,” Ejodame said.

Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, commended personnel involved in the operation.

“The successful airlift underscores the Service’s unwavering commitment to supporting democratic institutions and national development,” he said.

The Nigeria Police Force has also activated extensive security measures ahead of Saturday’s poll.

The Commissioner of Police in charge of the election, Abayomi Shogunle, has assumed duty and commenced the implementation of security protocols approved by the Inspector-General of Police.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer in Ekiti State, Sunday Abutu, the operational plan includes intelligence gathering, deployment planning and collaboration with other security agencies under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).

Abutu said intelligence mapping had been intensified to neutralise threats such as political violence, cult activities, thuggery and misinformation campaigns.

“These include intelligence mapping to neutralise political violence, anti-thuggery, anti-cult related activities, counter-misinformation campaigns, robust planning for secured movement of electoral materials and staff engaged by INEC,” he said.

He added that a centralised operational framework had been established to coordinate rapid response teams and joint security deployments across the state.

According to him, security personnel will protect polling units, collation centres, election officials, voters, observers, journalists and critical infrastructure.

Shogunle assured residents that officers had been adequately briefed and would operate strictly in line with the Constitution and the Electoral Act.

He also appealed to political actors, community leaders and residents to cooperate with security agencies to ensure peaceful elections.

Meanwhile, Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Anthony Placid, confirmed that deployment had already commenced.

“Deployment has been done. From June 17, men will be on the ground to ensure there is a free, fair and credible election,” he said.

Complementing police efforts, the NSCDC announced the deployment of 10,000 officers and men across Ekiti State.

According to the Corps’ National Public Relations Officer, Assistant Commandant Babawale Afolabi, personnel were drawn from commands in Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Lagos, Kwara, Edo, Ogun and Kogi states, alongside reinforcements from Zones 6 and 11.

The Commandant-General also approved the deployment of elite tactical units, including the Special Intelligence Squad, Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit, Specialized Female Squad, Mining Marshals, Special Force, Crack Squad and K9 Unit.

“Our mission in Ekiti State is definitive: to protect the integrity of the democratic process and guarantee the safety of every voter, election official and citizen.

“We will tolerate no form of electoral violence, thuggery or disruption.”

He added that all personnel had been directed to remain professional, neutral and civil throughout the exercise.

Civil society organisation TAF Africa said it would deploy 150 election observers and 25 sign language interpreters to promote inclusive participation by persons with disabilities.

Speaking during a training programme in Ado Ekiti, Programmes Manager Dr Andrew Adaji said the interpreters would be stationed at polling units with voters who have hearing impairments.

“We are deploying sign language interpreters… We will put them in units where we have persons with hearing impediments,” he said.

Adaji disclosed that the observers would monitor compliance with electoral guidelines relating to persons with disabilities using a dedicated election observation application capable of transmitting real-time reports.

“What we want to achieve is inclusivity. Over time, persons with disabilities have been excluded in so many things,” he added.

Meanwhile, the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, has constituted the Ekiti State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal.

The tribunal’s Secretary, Zubairu Nuhu, said the Chief Judge of Ekiti State had approved the use of the National Industrial Court premises in Ado Ekiti as the tribunal venue.

The tribunal will hear petitions arising from Saturday’s governorship election.

Governor Biodun Oyebanji, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate seeking re-election, on Wednesday gave an account of his administration’s achievements and appealed to voters to renew his mandate.

In a statewide broadcast, he said his administration had fulfilled its campaign promises and laid a solid foundation for economic growth.

“As we approach the polls, I want to humbly request that you renew the Shared Prosperity Mandate you gave us four years ago by another four years.

“While we are proud of the landmark achievements we have recorded, I am confident that with another four years, we will take the socioeconomic plans of our administration to greater heights.”

He added that another term would enable his administration to complete ongoing projects and implement new development initiatives under the state’s 30-year development plan.

The governor also appealed to political parties, election observers and security agencies to conduct themselves professionally.

“This current electioneering has been the most peaceful in the history of our state, and we must do everything to ensure that the election and post-election activities remain peaceful,” Oyebanji said.