Two thousand and seventy-seven eligible Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) are expected to participate in the Ekiti governorship election on Saturday, June 20, 2026, alongside other voters to exercise their franchise.

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, disclosed this during a stakeholders’ meeting in Ado-Ekiti and assured that the commission has put measures in place to guarantee their full inclusion in the voting process.

He explained that assistive devices such as Braille ballot guides and magnifying glasses will be deployed to enable visually impaired voters, persons with albinism, and other categories of persons living with disabilities to cast their ballots without hindrance.

According to him, inclusivity remains a major component of the Commission’s electoral preparations, reaffirming that no eligible voter would be disenfranchised on account of disability. He added that intimidation is a serious concern that would be addressed by stakeholders.

Meanwhile, the INEC chairman remarked: “Until now, there were 14 political parties published as participating in the election. In view of the Supreme Court decision in the SDP case, the Commission has reviewed its position on the participation of the SDP candidate and has therefore decided to include the candidate of the SDP on the ballot for this election.”

He said everything is being put in place to ensure that voting starts on time in all 2,445 polling units.

“If elections start early, voting will close early, counting will be done in daylight, results will be declared in daylight, and uploads will also be completed in good time. The peace accord must not be treated as a decorative ceremonial exercise. Its principles must be internalized and strictly observed down to party officials, polling agents, and grassroots supporters.

“Our goal is to ensure that the election is peaceful, violence-free, and credible so that every eligible voter will feel safe to come out and express themselves on election day.”

The Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, Michael Falade, said the command is committed to deploying maximum security to ensure a violence-free and credible poll.

The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has issued a stern warning against any attempt to use the judiciary as an instrument to undermine democracy.

The ADC gave the warning in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, on Monday.

This came after Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, on Monday ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to immediately deregister the ADC, Accord Party and others from participating in the 2027 general elections.

While describing the court’s order as a direct invitation to anarchy, the party fumed that the court’s judgment contravenes constitutional principles and known judicial processes.

According to the opposition, the court’s judgment was a calculated attempt by agents of the ruling party

“You are playing with fire. Those who believe they can manipulate institutions of state to narrow the democratic space must understand that they are playing with forces far greater than partisan interests.

“Make no mistake, this is another act of desperation by the ruling party and the government to hand President Tinubu a second term without contest. This will not work,” the statement read.

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ogun State on Monday unveiled veteran journalist, Lateefah Yemi Sowunmi-Kolapo, as its deputy governorship candidate for the 2027 election.

Kolapo, who is also the Iya Suna of Egbaland, is expected to be the running mate to the governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu, in the election.

Speaking at the declaration ceremony held at the party’s secretariat in Abeokuta, the state chairman of the party, Abayomi Tella, said the PDP was confident of victory in 2027.

Tella noted that the party had selected candidates who are “pure and undiluted indigenes of Ogun State.”

He said, “The efforts of the State Working Committee and the leadership of this party are now yielding significant results.

“All of you, without exception, will agree with me today that the PDP in Ogun State is well-positioned to be a major force in 2027. Let me thank every leader of this party who has not rested on their oars until we got to this level. As we are doing this today, another one will soon come.

“I have told the other party that when they go for minnows and fries, we go for the big fish, and that’s the result we are seeing now, and we are still going to see more.

“The good thing about this combination is that these are pure, undiluted indigenes of Ogun State. When the other party wanted to make another error, they still went to import someone who permanently lives in Lagos, in addition to the original Lagos person they brought to us.

“We have agreed that the theme of this election is going to be Ogun for Ogun. Are we going to allow a total stranger to come and claim our inheritance? Are we ready to fight with our voter cards against him?” he asked.

Also speaking, the party’s governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu, said the deputy governorship candidate emerged through the will of the people and for the purpose of serving them.

“today, however, I believe, and we should all sense, that the time is right. We have forty candidates on this stage today, and for the first time, I can confidently say that there is no weak link among us. All forty candidates are steadfast, committed and strong.

“That is a message to those who are watching and studying what we are doing: God’s time is always the best,” Adebutu added.

In her acceptance speech, the deputy governorship candidate, Lateefah Sowunmi-Kolapo, appreciated the party for reposing confidence in her.

Sowunmi-Kolapo urged residents to come out en masse to vote, expressing confidence that the PDP would emerge victorious and take its seat at Oke-Mosan.

Meanwhile, Iyabo Obasanjo urged the electorate to protect their votes and not allow what she described as “vote stealing” in 2019 and 2023 to repeat itself.

She insisted that Adebutu was robbed of his mandate in previous elections and assured supporters that such would not happen in 2027, given her influence within the party.