Guber poll: Police restrict movement in Ekiti

The Ekiti State Police Command has announced a restriction on vehicular movement across the state during the governorship election slated for Saturday, June 20, 2026.

The Ekiti State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Sunday Abutu, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday.

Abutu said the restriction would take effect from midnight (12:00 a.m.) to 6:00 p.m. and cover both intra-state and inter-state roads in the state.

Abutu stated that the measure was part of comprehensive security arrangements aimed at ensuring a peaceful, orderly, and violence-free election.

He noted that the restriction would apply to all forms of motorised transportation, including private and commercial vehicles, trucks, tricycles, and motorcycles.

The police spokesman added that students and candidates participating in national structured examinations and assessments are exempted from the restriction and are allowed to proceed to their examination centres.

Abutu said: “Travellers intending to pass through the state on election day are therefore advised to make alternative arrangements and use other routes.

“Accredited officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), ad-hoc staff, journalists, election observers, medical personnel, emergency responders, and other essential service providers will however be permitted to move during the restriction period, provided they carry valid identification and clearance tags.”

Abutu added that movement of VIPs with armed escorts to polling units and collation centres would not be allowed.

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“Vigilante groups, quasi-security outfits and volunteer groups are also prohibited from providing security services during the election,” he stated.

Abutu also urged construction companies undertaking road projects in the state to suspend active construction work for the duration of the election, citing safety concerns.

He said only personnel of recognised security agencies and organisations under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) would be authorised to provide security at polling units, collation centres and other election facilities.

He quoted the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Ekiti State Governorship Election, Abayomi Shogunle, as urging registered voters to come out and exercise their civic responsibility peacefully, assuring residents of adequate security before, during, and after the poll.

Shogunle also urged the people of the state to remain law-abiding and report suspicious activities to the nearest security agency.