As Nigeria prepares for the 2026 Ekiti State Governorship Election, concerns about election security continue to grow amid a worsening security environment across the country. Once considered relatively stable, the South-West region has witnessed increasing incidents of banditry, kidnapping, farmer-herder clashes, and other forms of violent criminal activity, with Ekiti State among those affected.
Recent attacks in Ekiti and neighbouring states have heightened fears about the potential impact of insecurity on the electoral process, including voter participation, election logistics, and public confidence. Given Ekiti’s strategic borders with Ondo, Osun, Kwara, and Kogi States, stakeholders have raised concerns about the risks posed by criminal groups and other disruptive actors ahead of the June 20, 2026, governorship election.
In response, this Security Threat Assessment examines the key security risks that could affect the conduct of the election and provides practical recommendations for electoral stakeholders, security agencies, policymakers, civil society organisations, and citizens to help ensure a peaceful, secure, and credible electoral process.
