By Nkiruka Nnorom
The British High Commission in Nigeria has congratulated Abiodun Oyebanji on his re-election as Ekiti State Governor, but warned that vote trading, BVAS delays and poor access for voters with disabilities marred the June 20 governorship election.
In a statement, the High Commission praised the peaceful conduct of the poll and the collaboration between the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and security agencies, describing it as “a mostly orderly first test of the Electoral Act 2026.”
The High Commission, however, noted that UK observers said the positives were outweighed by practices that threatened public trust and called for urgent improvements in accessibility and electoral conduct ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
According to the UK, the team reported seeing “instances of vote trading and interference by party agents” at polling units visited, calling it a corrosive practice that erodes confidence in the process.
