Ahead of the Ekiti State governorship poll scheduled for June 20, 2026, civil society organisations under the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria Phase Two (EU-SDGN II) programme have expressed concerns over the preparedness of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the conduct of the much-awaited election.

The groups, during a media briefing in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, warned that critical operational and security gaps could undermine the credibility of the poll if not urgently addressed.

According to the pre-election assessment report presented by the Election Observation Hub, INEC’s preparedness across the 16 local government offices in Ekiti stood at 34 percent as of April 14, 2026.

The groups identified delayed election funding, poor infrastructure, inadequate operational vehicles and challenges with collation centres as major concerns.

The organisations also highlighted vote buying, political thuggery, disinformation and possible militarisation of election security as key threats to the poll, adding that Ado-Ekiti, Ikole, Moba and Ilejemeje local government areas were classified as high-risk areas, while Efon, Ikere and Oye were listed as medium-risk zones.

The groups further raised concerns over the exclusion of women and persons with disabilities from the governorship race, stressing that none of the 13 political parties fielded a female candidate.

They urged INEC to improve election preparedness, strengthen the BVAS and IReV systems, and intensify voter education ahead of the election.

Meanwhile, the report was jointly signed by CEMESO, ElectHER, IPC, NWTF, TAF Africa, The Kukah Centre and Yiaga Africa.

The Federal High Court sitting in Umuahia has dismissed a case filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) seeking to declare the seat of the member representing Isiala Ngwa South Constituency in the Abia State House of Assembly, Dennis Chinwendu Roland, vacant.

The party had filed the suit following the defection of Roland from the PDP to the Labour Party in February 2025.

According to the PDP, the defection of the lawmaker from the party that sponsored him was in violation of the 1999 Constitution.

It prayed the court to order the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to declare the seat of the lawmaker vacant and conduct a fresh election in the Isiala Ngwa South State Constituency to fill the seat.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly were the other parties joined in the suit.

But delivering the judgment, Justice S. B. Onu, who presided over the matter, dismissed the PDP’s prayers for lack of diligent prosecution and interest by the plaintiff in pursuing the matter.

Justice Onu ruled that the plaintiff and the defence failed to appear during the last court sitting despite notices issued to all parties involved in the matter.

The state lawmaker, Dennis Chinwendu Roland, represents Isiala Ngwa South, Governor Alex Otti’s constituency.

Results from the ongoing African Democratic Congress, ADC, presidential primary election has started trickling in.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar floored his fellow contestants, Rotimi Amaechi and Mohammed Hayatu-Deen in Bolewa and Potiskum in Yobe State.

According to results announced by the returning officer, Atiku polled 740 votes as against Amaechi with 15 votes and Hayatu-Deen who got 2 votes.

Amaechi, who used to be the Minister of Transportation, voted at his Ubima Ward in the Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The ADC’s presidential primary election took place in 8,809 wards across Nigeria.

Atiku, who cast his vote in Jimeta area of Adamawa State had applauded the conduct of the primary election.

In a post on X, the former Vice President mentioned that outcome of the primary election action would help Nigeria recover.

In like manner, Amaechi, a former Governor of Rivers State voted in Ubima, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State.

While Hayatu-Deen also cast his vote in Jare, Borno State.