Yiaga Africa and IPC Warn of Vote Buying and Journalist Safety Concerns in Ekiti Election

By Rotimi Ojomoyela

Ado‑Ekiti — Ahead of Saturday’s Ekiti State governorship election, civil society groups have voiced worries about vote buying, the safety of journalists, and the participation of persons with disabilities (PWDs).

Yiaga Africa has pinpointed vote buying as a key danger to the election’s credibility, calling on security agencies and anti‑corruption bodies to act decisively to stop it.

During a pre‑election briefing in Ado‑Ekiti, Dr Aisha Abdullahi, chair of Yiaga Africa’s Election Observation Mission, noted that although preparations have been largely smooth, vote trading still poses a serious threat to electoral integrity.

She urged increased monitoring at polling stations and collation centres to prevent inducement or coercion, emphasizing that voters should be able to exercise their