The Kukah Centre for Governance and Development has called on political parties and candidates contesting the 2026 Ekiti governorship election to conduct themselves peacefully and reject violence throughout the campaign season.
The centre, a Lagos-based think tank focused on democratic governance, issued the appeal as politicians begin laying the groundwork for the contest in Nigeria's southwestern state. The message comes against a backdrop of electoral violence that has marked previous polls in various parts of the country, leaving voters injured and, in some cases, dead.
In a statement released this week, the Kukah Centre said all parties must sign onto a commitment to peaceful conduct. The centre called on candidates to campaign on issues that matter to voters, not on inflammatory rhetoric that could spark clashes between supporters. It urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to enforce its regulations strictly and ensure that parties that breach the code of conduct face real consequences.
The Kukah Centre also told voters to reject candidates who promote violence or use thugs to intimidate opponents. It said Ekiti people deserve an election where they can cast their ballots freely without fear, and where the winner is determined by votes, not by intimidation or bloodshed.
The 2026 Ekiti governorship election will determine who succeeds Biodun Oyebanji, the current governor. Several politicians from the Peoples Democratic Party, All Progressives Congress, and other parties have already begun positioning themselves for the race. Political analysts expect a keenly contested election, given the state's history of volatile contests and the national political temperature heading into 2026.
