By Idowu Adebomi
The Ekiti State Police Command has announced a statewide restriction on vehicular movement ahead of the June 20, 2026 governorship election, as part of measures to guarantee a peaceful, credible, and violence-free electoral process.
According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Sunday Abutu, the restriction will take effect from 12:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, covering both intra-state and inter-state vehicular movements across all roads and highways within the state.
The command explained that the measure is aimed at preventing the movement of political thugs and other criminal elements who may seek to disrupt the election.
The restriction applies to private and commercial vehicles, trucks, tricycles, and motorcycles.
However, candidates sitting for national examinations and assessments on election day are exempted from the restriction and are expected to proceed to their examination centers without hindrance.
The police have also advised construction companies carrying out road projects across the state to suspend all forms of active road construction during the election period for safety and security reasons.
The command stated that essential workers, including designated Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) staff, ad hoc personnel, accredited journalists, election observers, medical personnel, emergency responders, and other approved service providers, will be allowed movement upon the presentation of valid identification and clearance tags. Medical emergencies will also be attended to during the restriction period.
The statement further warned that VIPs accompanied by armed escorts or security aides will not be permitted to move to polling units and collation centers.
It also prohibited vigilante groups, quasi-security outfits, and volunteer groups from providing security services at polling units and collation centers throughout the election.
The Police noted that only personnel of recognized security agencies and organizations under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) are authorized to provide security at election facilities.
The Commissioner of Police for the Ekiti State Governorship Election, CP Abayomi Shogunle, called on registered voters to come out and exercise their civic responsibility peacefully while complying with all security directives.
He assured residents of the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to protecting lives and property before, during, and after the election, adding that adequate security personnel had been deployed across the state to maintain law and order.
The command further urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements or security concerns to the nearest police station or through the emergency line, warning that anyone found violating the restriction order or attempting to undermine the peace of the state will be dealt with in accordance with the law.