Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A civil society organisation has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a comprehensive audit of permanent voter card (PVC) distribution in Ekiti State following Saturday's governorship election, while also alleging that the electoral umpire colluded with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to divert uncollected PVCs for partisan advantage.
The Democratic Integrity Forum (DIF), in a statement issued on Sunday, June 20, 2026, by its National Coordinator, Barr. Godwin Omini, said the conduct of the Ekiti governorship election has raised serious concerns about INEC's neutrality and its capacity to serve as an impartial umpire ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Omini alleged that some INEC officials colluded with the APC by facilitating the transfer of approximately 400,000 uncollected PVCs to the ruling party, which were then distributed to non‑indigenes in a manner that compromised the electoral process. “These cards were reportedly distributed to non‑indigenes in a manner that compromised the electoral process and undermined the will of genuine voters in Ekiti State,” Omini said. He argued that the alleged collaboration points to a troubling pattern of partiality capable of eroding public confidence in Nigeria's electoral system.
The forum also expressed concern over what it described as unauthorised access to sensitive voter information. Omini cited recent comments allegedly made by APC chieftain Lere Olayinka regarding an aspirant of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), claiming that the remarks suggested sensitive voter data may have been accessed through individuals linked to INEC. “When political parties or government officials are able to obtain voter registers, polling unit data, or other sensitive electoral information from INEC ahead of polls, it creates an uneven playing field,” the statement read. “This not only enables targeted manipulation, voter suppression, or inducement but also compromises the secrecy and sanctity of the ballot.”
The Democratic Integrity Forum called on INEC to investigate the allegations and make its findings public, urging the commission to conduct “a full audit of voter data access and PVC distribution in Ekiti State and prosecuting any officials found complicit in partisan activities”. The group also called for stronger data protection protocols and reforms aimed at enhancing transparency and public trust. “The credibility of our democracy hangs in the balance,” Omini said. “We call on civil society organisations, the international community, the media, and all well‑meaning Nigerians to join in insisting that INEC upholds its constitutional mandate without fear or favour.”
INEC had not responded to the allegations as of the time of this report. The APC also has not issued an official reaction to the claims. Governor Biodun Oyebanji, the APC candidate, was declared the winner of the Ekiti governorship election, securing 319,224 votes, while his closest challenger, Dr. Wole Oluyede of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), polled 40,543 votes.
The Movement for Credible Elections (MCE) separately called on INEC and security agencies to investigate allegations of vote buying, pre‑thumbprinted ballot papers, and the suspected distribution of uncollected PVCs during the Ekiti poll. MCE said it was particularly disturbed by reports and videos circulating on social media suggesting attempts to compromise the integrity of the election. The group warned that silence or inaction by authorities could further erode public trust in Nigeria's democracy.
The allegations have intensified scrutiny of INEC's preparedness for the 2027 general elections, with observers warning that perceived bias could undermine confidence in the electoral process. The Democratic Integrity Forum stressed that the issues arising from the Ekiti election should not be dismissed as isolated incidents but viewed as warning signs demanding urgent institutional reforms. As the debate over electoral integrity continues, the pressure on INEC to demonstrate accountability and transparency is likely to intensify in the lead‑up to the 2027 polls.
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