The election observation group, Yiaga Africa, has confirmed that the official results of the 2026 Ekiti State governorship election, announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), match its independent verification estimates.
However, the group warned that widespread vote buying and voter inducement have cast doubt on the credibility of the election process.
This information was shared on Sunday in a statement about the election process and results verification, signed by Aisha Abdullahi, Chair of Yiaga Africa’s 2026 Ekiti Election Observation Mission.
According to the group, its Watching The Vote (WTV) Process and Results Verification for Transparency (PRVT) method showed that the results announced by INEC fell within its estimated range. This means the figures reflect the ballots counted at polling units across the state.
"INEC’s official results for the 2026 Ekiti State Governorship Election are consistent with Yiaga Africa’s WTV estimate, as they fall within Yiaga Africa’s estimated range. This indicates that the official results, as announced, reflect the ballots counted at polling units," the group said.
Yiaga Africa added that if the official results had been outside its estimated range, it would have raised concerns about the accuracy of the collation and tabulation process. The group stated that the consistency between its estimates and INEC’s declared results supports the accuracy of the polling-unit result tabulation.
Concerns about Vote Buying
Despite backing the official results, the organisation raised concerns about reports of vote buying and voter inducement during the election.
They said the existence of these practices raises serious doubts about whether voters were able to make choices freely and without outside pressure.
"Widespread reports of vote buying and voter inducement raise serious concerns about the integrity of voter choice and the extent to which the outcome reflected the free will of the electorate," the statement said.
The concerns raised by Yiaga Africa are similar to what PREMIUM TIMES observed during the election. Reporters saw party agents in parts of Ise-Ekiti and Emure-Ekiti handing out numbered slips to voters after they cast their ballots. Observers say this tactic can help facilitate vote buying without directly exchanging cash at polling units.
Vote buying has been a constant problem in recent Nigerian elections, despite the efforts of electoral and security agencies to control the practice.
Voter Turnout Discrepancy
Yiaga Africa also pointed out a difference in the voter turnout figures announced by INEC.
The organisation estimated the voter turnout in the election at between 34.1 percent and 38.2 percent, while INEC reported an official turnout of 38.7 percent at the state collation centre.
The group explained that the difference is due to the voter register that INEC used to calculate turnout.
"INEC’s turnout figure falls slightly outside Yiaga Africa’s confidence interval. Yiaga Africa observed that the number of registered voters announced and used for the calculation of voter turnout by INEC during the State Collation and Declaration of Results was 988,251. This is the data from the 2022 Ekiti register as against the updated 2026 register with 1,059,360 registered voters," the statement read.
Yiaga Africa warned that failing to address such discrepancies in future elections could lead to unnecessary disputes and potentially affect the final results of elections.
Recommendations
The organisation urged INEC to clarify the difference between the number of registered voters used to calculate turnout and the actual number, and to take steps to correct this.
They also called on the commission to strengthen quality assurance in the production, verification, distribution and deployment of sensitive election materials, including ballot papers and result sheets, to ensure they accurately reflect the final list of parties in elections.
The group further asked INEC to improve clarity and coordination in putting into action the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 and its regulations, especially regarding election-day procedures and the use of downloadable Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).
Yiaga Africa urged security agencies to step up efforts to catch and punish electoral offenders, noting that vote buying and voter intimidation are increasingly happening around polling units, not just inside them.
"Enforcement must extend beyond the precincts of the polling unit to the surrounding spaces where inducement and coercion are now routinely carried out," the group said.
The organisation also called on political parties to train polling agents in electoral laws and guidelines to improve compliance and reduce disputes during results management.
Additionally, it urged authorities to regulate the use of incumbency powers and state resources during elections, arguing that misuse of these advantages undermines electoral competitiveness and democratic legitimacy.
Yiaga Africa praised Ekiti State residents for acting peacefully during the election and encouraged citizens to stay involved in the democratic process by holding elected officials accountable for their campaign promises.
"We encourage the voters to sustain their participation in the electoral process beyond the elections by holding political parties and candidates accountable for their campaign promises," the statement added.
The organisation said it will release a detailed report on the election in the coming weeks with more findings and recommendations for stakeholders.
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