Voters in Ekiti trekked to polling units on Saturday only to meet dead BVAS machines and empty queues. The low turnout and tech failures have reignited fears that 2027 may repeat 2023’s logistical problems, civil society groups warned, write ADEMU IDAKWO
Low voter turnout, isolated BVAS failures and fresh allegations of vote-buying in the Ekiti State governorship election have sparked concerns among political parties, civil society groups, election observers and political analysts, who warn that the issues could pose significant challenges ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
Although the poll was conducted peacefully in most parts of the state, stakeholders say the exercise exposed lingering weaknesses in voter participation, election technology and public confidence that require urgent attention.
Ahead of the election, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced that Ekiti State had 1,059,360 registered voters, while 1,028,929 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) had been collected, representing 97.1 per cent of eligible voters.
However, official results released after the poll showed that only 384,940 voters were accredited, while 382,109 votes were eventually cast. The figures indicate that 646,820 eligible voters who possessed PVCs did not participate in the election, translating to a turnout rate of 37.1 per cent and a non-participation rate of 62.9 per cent.
The statistics have renewed concerns among democracy advocates and election observers over growing voter apathy and declining public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process.
For many stakeholders, the Ekiti election was more than an off-cycle governorship contest. It represented another test of the country’s electoral reforms and a measure of institutional preparedness ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, in a statement signed by its co-conveners, Celestine Odo and Mma Odi, described the election as generally peaceful but expressed concern over participation levels.
The coalition noted that despite the high rate of PVC collection, voter turnout remained significantly lower, underscoring the need for renewed voter mobilisation and stronger civic engagement.
The group also raised concerns over reports of vote-buying and called for stricter enforcement of electoral laws to preserve the integrity of future elections.
According to the coalition, addressing voter apathy and rebuilding public confidence must remain central to preparations for subsequent polls.
Yiaga Africa, in a preliminary report signed by the Chair of its Election Observation Mission, Dr. Aisha Abdullahi, and its Executive Director, Samson Itodo, estimated voter turnout at between 34 and 38.1 per cent.
“If INEC’s official figures fall within this range, they accurately reflect turnout at polling units observed by Yiaga Africa,” the organisation stated.
The group commended improvements in logistics and the timely deployment of election officials and materials but warned that allegations of voter inducement and operational lapses remained a threat to public confidence in the electoral process.
Yiaga Africa further noted that while BVAS functioned effectively in most polling units, isolated glitches delayed accreditation in some locations, particularly among elderly voters whose fingerprints and facial authentication posed challenges.
The organisation urged INEC to strengthen contingency measures and improve technical preparedness ahead of future elections.
Similarly, the EU-SDGN Election Observation Hub, comprising Yiaga Africa, The Kukah Centre, TAF Africa, the Nigerian Women’s Trust Fund, the International Press Centre and the Centre for Media and Society, described the election as largely peaceful but called for stronger safeguards against electoral malpractice.
The observers commended the performance of election technology in most areas while urging improved backup arrangements and tougher action against vote-buying to enhance public trust ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Reports from observers indicated that although BVAS performed satisfactorily in most polling units, technical hitches in some locations delayed accreditation and verification, especially for elderly voters.
Stakeholders say such challenges, though not widespread, underscore the need for more rigorous testing, adequate backup systems and stronger operational efficiency before the 2027 polls.
Women and persons with disabilities reportedly actively participated in many polling units, although civil society organisations urged electoral authorities to address lingering accessibility challenges to ensure broader inclusion in subsequent elections.
Political parties, however, offered differing assessments of the exercise.
The ruling APC described the poll as peaceful, transparent and reflective of ongoing improvements in Nigeria’s electoral system.
In a statement issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the APC commended INEC, security agencies and electoral officials for ensuring a smooth and orderly process across the state.
“This victory is a loud demonstration of the confidence of Ekiti people in Governor Biodun Oyebanji, his visionary leadership, people-centred policies and unwavering commitment to the development and progress of the state,” Morka said.
He added that the peaceful conduct of the election and improvements in logistics reflected gradual progress in Nigeria’s democratic process and underscored the effectiveness of ongoing electoral reforms.
However, opposition parties expressed reservations.
The ADC candidate, Dare Bejide, alleged widespread vote-buying and called for stronger safeguards to protect the integrity of future elections.
Similarly, the SDP candidate, Otunba Peter Obafemi, argued that incidents of voter inducement and intimidation affected the credibility of the process and urged authorities to guarantee a level playing field for all contestants.
The Accord Party candidate, Opeyemi David Falegan, also raised concerns over reported BVAS challenges and other procedural issues, insisting that further reforms remained necessary to strengthen public trust in the electoral system.
The differing assessments once again highlighted the deep political divisions that often accompany elections in Nigeria, even as stakeholders agreed on the need to strengthen democratic institutions.
Adding his voice to the debate, political activist and policy advocate, Suleiman Hassan Gimba, told LEADERSHIP Sunday that the Ekiti governorship election demonstrated that peaceful polls alone were insufficient to measure democratic success.
“An election may be peaceful, but if citizens are unwilling or unable to participate freely, it should serve as a warning signal rather than a democratic triumph,” Gimba said.
According to him, the turnout figures should concern electoral authorities and political actors alike.
“The figures clearly point to a growing trust deficit. Citizens must believe that their votes matter and that elections provide a genuine opportunity for political change. Without that confidence, voter apathy will continue to deepen ahead of the 2027 general elections,” he said.
Gimba further expressed concern over reports of BVAS glitches, stressing that technology should enhance credibility rather than create barriers to participation.
“Election technology is meant to strengthen transparency and public confidence. Every malfunction, no matter how isolated, undermines trust and must be addressed through rigorous testing, adequate backups and improved operational preparedness,” he stated.
In response to allegations of vote-buying, he described the practice as a major threat to democratic accountability.
“Political parties must compete on the basis of ideas, programmes and competence, not financial inducements.
The integrity of future elections depends on restoring faith in both institutions and the electoral process itself,” he added.
He urged INEC, political parties, civil society organisations and security agencies to treat the Ekiti election as an important learning opportunity and to intensify preparations to ensure more inclusive, transparent and credible elections in 2027.
Also speaking with LEADERSHIP Sunday, Dr. Christian Okeke, a political science lecturer at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, said the challenges encountered during the Ekiti governorship election reflected deeper structural problems in Nigeria’s electoral system.
“The challenges encountered during the Ekiti governorship election point to one major fact that all is not well with the organisation of elections in the country and may never be if fundamental reforms are not pursued,” he said.
According to him, despite repeated assurances by electoral authorities ahead of every election cycle, familiar problems continue to recur.
“Regardless of assurances of readiness and credible polls in every electoral cycle, the opposite always happens. It shows a perennial lack of institutional capacity and persistent challenges in fixing the rot within the system,” Okeke stated.
He argued that the incidents of vote-buying and low voter turnout amounted to a verdict on the country’s political elite and the quality of political engagement.
“The vote-buying and low voter turnout constitute a verdict against the political elite. It shows the low level to which the demand for fair and credible contests that should produce genuinely popular candidates has fallen,” he said.
The university lecturer further lamented what he described as the growing preference among politicians for financial inducement rather than issue-based campaigns.
“Most politicians are not interested in selling their programmes and policy alternatives to the electorate. Instead, they are more inclined towards financial inducement as a means of swaying the will of voters,” he added.
Okeke warned that the developments witnessed during the Ekiti election should serve as a wake-up call ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“The ills witnessed in the Ekiti election are a bad omen for the 2027 general elections. There is already widespread apprehension that the exercise may prove disappointing. However, only time will tell,” he said.
The concerns raised in Ekiti mirror issues observed during recent off-cycle elections and bye-elections in other parts of the country, where voter apathy, allegations of vote-buying and operational challenges have continued to feature prominently.
