Yiaga Africa has confirmed that the official results of the 2026 Ekiti State governorship election from the Independent National Electoral Commission, or INEC, match its own independent count. However, the organisation expressed concerns about widespread vote buying and discrepancies in voter turnout data.
Speaking in Ado-Ekiti on Sunday, the election observer group claimed that its Process and Results Verification for Transparency, or PRVT, methodology demonstrated that ballots counted at polling places matched INEC’s announced results.
Yiaga Africa praised INEC for improvements in logistics and behaviour, such as early personnel and material deployment, timely accreditation and voting, and an overall calm environment throughout the state.
The group did, however, draw attention to several important issues, including widespread voter inducement, inadequate handling of sensitive materials, inadequate public outreach regarding delayed administrative and judicial rulings, and inconsistent turnout statistics.
The figures: According to Yiaga’s statistical estimates, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) received 2.9–4.1% of the vote, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) received 8.5–11.7%, and the All Progressives Congress (APC) received 83.9–87.1%. Everything was within INEC’s declared results.
Yiaga’s estimated turnout was between 34.1 and 38.2%, whereas INEC reported a turnout of 38.7%. Yiaga pointed out that INEC seemed to use the 2022 voter registration figure rather than the revised 2026 register.
“INEC should clarify the turnout discrepancy and tighten quality control for sensitive materials ahead of future polls, including the 2027 general elections,” Yiaga suggested.
Voter intimidation and vote buying must be more strictly enforced by security agencies.
“Polling agents need to be better trained by political parties on electoral laws and regulations.
To guarantee fair competition, it is essential to regulate incumbency powers and the use of state resources.
“Yiaga Africa emphasised that although election administration has improved, Nigeria’s electoral integrity is still seriously threatened by vote buying and management errors.”
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