Communities across Ekiti West Local Government Area are witnessing an unusual but impactful wave of grassroots civic education ahead of the June 20, 2026 Governorship Election, as a Civil Society group ,the Kids & Teens Resource Centre (K&TRC), with support from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), intensifies voter mobilisation and peace advocacy across the region.
Over a 10-day campaign spanning Aramoko, Erinjinyan, Erio, Ipole, Okeimesi and Ikogosi communities, the organisation directly engaged more than 1,600 residents through market outreaches, stakeholder meetings, radio sensitisation and street-level mobilisation.
The campaign focused on voter participation, PVC collection, peaceful conduct and resistance to vote-buying.
At the centre of the campaign was a major outreach at the bustling Aramoko market, where over 600 traders, artisans, transport workers and residents participated in open-air civic education sessions.
Armed with fliers and megaphones, volunteers moved through crowded market clusters, responding to questions about voting procedures, polling units and electoral safety.
Residents were repeatedly reminded that democracy can only thrive when citizens refuse to sell their votes and choose to participate peacefully in the electoral process.
Speaking on the outreach strategy, members of the mobilisation team explained that the goal was to take democracy directly to the people rather than waiting for citizens to attend formal programmes. The effort quickly evolved into one of the most extensive community-based voter education drives recently witnessed in Ekiti West.
The initiative began with a strategic mapping exercise on May 12, during which the team visited communities to identify trusted local structures, church networks, market leaders and influential stakeholders capable of helping to spread civic education messages.
Collaborations were also established with the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to widen community access and improve local participation.
Security agencies and traditional institutions also played prominent roles in the exercise.
In Aramoko Ekiti, the Divisional Police Officer pledged support for the sensitisation activities and assured the team of adequate security during community engagements.
The Regent of Aramoko Kingdom equally endorsed the programme and encouraged sustained voter enlightenment efforts across the communities under her authority.
The engagement later produced one of the campaign’s most significant milestones.
On May 19, over 80 community leaders, including high chiefs, quarter chiefs and women leaders representing 18 communities in Aramoko Kingdom, gathered for a major stakeholders’ dialogue convened at the instance of the Regent. Discussions focused on peaceful participation, voter turnout and strategies for discouraging electoral violence and vote-buying within local communities.
Community leaders reportedly pledged to mobilise residents for peaceful participation and were provided with voter education materials to distribute across their respective communities. The Regent also committed to collating community feedback ahead of the election.
In Erinjinyan Ekiti, consultations with traditional and security stakeholders revealed concerns about low voter awareness among Tiv and Igede farming populations, as well as challenges associated with electricity supply and transportation costs which may affect election-day turnout. These concerns were documented as part of efforts to ensure more inclusive voter participation.
Beyond physical engagements, the campaign extended to the media space through a statewide radio sensitisation programme aired on Fresh FM 106.9. The broadcast reinforced messages on peaceful elections and encouraged registered voters to participate actively in the June 20 poll.
According to organisers, the initiative reflects the importance of sustained grassroots engagement in strengthening democratic participation, particularly in rural communities where misinformation, fear and voter apathy often undermine electoral processes.
The June 20, 2026 Ekiti State Governorship Election will hold across 2,445 polling units statewide, with stakeholders expressing hope that increased voter education and peaceful mobilisation efforts will contribute to a more credible and inclusive electoral process.