The road to the Ekiti Government House is officially open, but controversy mars the starting line as major opposition candidates remain missing from the ballot.

The political temperature in South West Nigeria just hit boiling point. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially lifted the ban on public campaigns for the upcoming Ekiti State governorship election, scheduled for June 20, 2026. But as the starting gun fires, the field is noticeably thin, sparking accusations of exclusion and fears of a one-horse race.

Bunmi Omoseyindemi, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Ekiti, announced the commencement of the campaign season in Ado-Ekiti, urging political actors to shun hate speech and adhere to the rules. "The publication of the final list signals the beginning of a critical phase," he stated. However, the elephant in the room was the absence of candidates from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) on the provisional list—a development that has thrown the opposition into disarray.

"Democracy on Trial"

The exclusion stems from protracted court battles over internal party primaries. A Federal High Court recently voided the PDP's primary election, citing irregularities in the delegates' list. While the ruling aims to uphold internal democracy, its timing—just as campaigns kick off—threatens to disenfranchise millions of opposition supporters. Critics argue that technicalities are being used to clear the path for the ruling party, a tactic not unfamiliar in African politics.

• The Timeline: Campaigns will run from January 21 until midnight on June 18, 2026, giving candidates exactly five months to woo the electorate.
• The Warning: INEC has read the riot act to politicians, warning that security agencies are on high alert to deal with any "thugs or merchants of violence" who attempt to disrupt the peace.
• The Stakes: Ekiti is often seen as a bellwether for Nigeria's general elections. A flawed process here could set a dangerous precedent for the 2027 national polls.

A Kenyan Perspective

For observers in Nairobi, the Ekiti drama mirrors our own electoral challenges. The struggle between the judiciary's role in vetting candidates and the people's right to choose is a delicate balance. As the campaign trails in Ekiti fill with dancing supporters and blaring loudspeakers, the real battle is being fought in the courtrooms. Unless the PDP and SDP can secure a last-minute legal reprieve, the June 20 election risks being a coronation rather than a contest.