The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced the distribution of sensitive election materials from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in Ekiti state ahead of the governorship election and a series of senatorial and House of Representatives by-elections scheduled for Saturday, June 20, 2026.

INEC officials were on Thursday at the Central Bank office in Ado-Ekiti sorting and dispatching sensitive materials to the state’s 16 local government areas.
The venue was bustling with activity as election officials coordinated logistics, while security personnel were deployed to ensure the safe movement of materials.

Ekiti State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Bunmi Omoseyindemi, described the process as smooth and well-organised, assuring stakeholders that all materials would reach their destinations on schedule.
Meanwhile, INEC disclosed that the number of registered voters in Ekiti State increased from 987,647 in 2023 to 1,059,360 in 2026.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, said the number of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) collected also rose from 958,052 in 2023 to 1,028,929 in 2026.

According to the commission, the figure represents a PVC collection rate of 97 per cent and covers 97.1 per cent of registered voters in Ekiti State.

INEC announced the statistics after successfully concluding the PVC collection exercise ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.
The exercise, initially scheduled to end on June 11, 2026, was extended to June 14 following consultations with stakeholders at a meeting held in Ado-Ekiti.

The commission also provided an update on applications for replacement PVCs in line with Section 18(1) of the Electoral Act 2026, which allows registered voters to replace lost, damaged or defaced voter cards.
INEC said it received 14,406 applications for replacement PVCs within the stipulated period and successfully printed all the cards, most of which have already been collected by their owners.

However, the commission noted that the planned option of providing downloadable copies of lost, damaged or defaced voter cards could not be implemented for the Ekiti election because the required technology infrastructure is yet to be fully deployed.

“The option will be available to voters in future elections, particularly the Osun State Governorship Election in August 2026 and the 2027 General Election,” the statement said.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has ordered an immediate evacuation of waste from the streets across the state following the recent noticiable build-up of refuse in parts of the state.

According to the directive, key environmental agencies, including the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), and the Ministry of Environment, will be mobilised to intensify sanitation efforts across affected communities.

According to the governor, additional waste collection trucks and personnel have been deployed, with sanitation workers operating round the clock to restore cleanliness and normalise conditions.

Sanwo-Olu disclosed the development in a post on X, noting that Lagos generates more than 13,000 tonnes of waste daily, a volume that demands sustained coordination and continuous intervention to maintain environmental standards.

“Dear Lagosians, I have directed an immediate scale-up of waste evacuation across Lagos following the recent build-up of refuse in some parts of our state,” he wrote.

“LAWMA, LASEPA, and the Ministry of Environment are currently working around the clock. We have deployed extra trucks and personnel to clear the backlogs across all affected neighbourhoods. You should already see progress on the streets, and we will not stop until our city is completely clean again.

“As we continue this cleanup, I ask for your partnership. Please bag your waste properly and avoid dumping refuse in drainage channels or on the roads,” he added.

The governor assured residents that the government is fully committed to resolving the situation and maintaining environmental safety across the state.

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has reportedly exempted Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the party, and his running mate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, from signing the party’s anti-defection oath, even as the requirement remains mandatory for all other candidates seeking elective offices on its platform.

The anti-defection policy, recently introduced by the party leadership, makes it mandatory for candidates to sign indemnity forms and sworn affidavits pledging not to defect to another political party after securing electoral victory.

According to the NDC, the measure is designed to strengthen party discipline, promote loyalty, and curb the wave of defections that has weakened several political parties in recent years.

The decision to exclude Obi and Kwankwaso from the requirement has attracted attention within political circles. While the party insists that the policy remains binding on candidates contesting governorship, legislative, and other elective positions under its banner, questions have emerged over the rationale for exempting the presidential ticket.

The development is expected to spark debate among party members and political observers, with some arguing that a policy aimed at ensuring commitment and loyalty should apply uniformly to all candidates, regardless of status.

The NDC’s anti-defection initiative comes amid growing concerns over the persistent trend of elected officials switching political allegiances after winning elections, a practice many stakeholders say undermines party ideology and voter trust.