INEC accredits 98 observer groups for Ekiti gubernatorial election (Full List)

*The Independent National Electoral Commission discloses it has accredited 98 observer groups, 96 domestic, and two foreign, for the forthcoming Ekiti State Governorship Election, scheduled to hold Saturday, June 20, 2026, noting the decision confirms its commitment to transparency and accountability in the country’s electoral process

Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has disclosed it accredited total 98 observer groups, 96 domestic, and two foreign, for the forthcoming Ekiti State Governorship Election, scheduled to hold Saturday, June 20, 2026.

ConsumerConnect reports the INEC said the accredited organisations comprised a broad spectrum of civil society groups, professional bodies, and institutions with expertise in election observation, governance, human rights, gender advocacy, youth development, and peacebuilding.

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The Commission also noted that notable among the domestic observers are the Centre for Democracy and Development West Africa, Yiaga Africa, CLEEN Foundation, Nigerian Women Trust Fund, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, and Polling Unit Ambassadors of Nigeria, among others.

According to INEC, in a bulletin, the presence of accredited observers is in line with its commitment to transparency and accountability in the electoral process, noting that observer groups play a critical role in enhancing public confidence in elections through independent assessment of procedures and outcomes.

The Commission urged all accredited organisations to adhere strictly to the guidelines for election observation, and to conduct their activities in a non-partisan and professional manner.

INEC also stated that the accredited domestic observer groups are: 21st Century Community Empowerment for Youth and Women Initiative; Advocacy for Advancement of Peace and Harmony in Africa Initiative; Advocacy for Quality Leadership and Health Awareness Foundation; Africa Women for Unity, Social and Culture Organisation; African Christian Care Trust Organization; Akai for Youths Sustainable Development Foundation; and Akakpuchionwa Empowerment Foundation;

Others include Amazons Women of Substance Foundation; Arise and Build Human Empowerment and Growth Foundation; Aspire African Youth Empowerment Initiative; Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative; Bridging Social Inclusion Gaps Initiative; Caringhands Youth Initiatives; Caritas Empowerment and Development Initiative; and Center for Development and Transformation Initiative.

Centre for Childcare and Youth Development; Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness; Centre for Democracy and Development West Africa; Centre for Empowerment and Rebirth for Sustainable Development; Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID); Centre for Peace and Conflict Resolution in Communities Initiative are all part of the approved election observers.

Others include Centre for Positive Change and Civic Responsibility; Centre for Strategic Conflict Management; Centre for Transparency Advocacy; Christian and Muslims for Peace Progressive and Unity Initiative; Citadel of Hope Initiative; Citizens Advocates for Peace is Possible in Nigeria; Citizen’s Right for Peace and Non-Violence Initiative; Citizens Rights & Leadership Awareness Initiative; and Citizens Rights for Peace and Good Leadership Initiative.

Citizenship Civic Awareness Centre; CLEEN Foundation; Committee for the Defence of Human Rights; Community Advancement, Good Leadership and Development Initiative; Community Structure Foundation for Good Governance (CSF); Concerned Initiative for Community & Social Development; Conscience Women of Africa Initiative; Diaspora Advocacy for a New Dawn Initiative in Nigeria; Echoes of Empathy and Leadership Foundation are among the observers.

Other approved election observers include Forum of Nigerian Ministers and Workers of God; Foundation for Women Development; Future Leaders Global Initiative; Gifted Youth and Women Empowerment Foundation in Eha-Amufu; Global Development Centre for Rescue Mission in Nigeria; Global Initiative for African Development; and Grassroot Development and Peace Initiative.

Grassroot in Advance of Democracy Initiative for Improve Sustainability; Greater People Centre for Gender Advocacy, Youth Empowerment and Education; Human Rights and Grassroots Development Society; Ilimu Wal Hikmah Islamic Foundation; Immaculate Initiative for Peace; Initiative for Peace Humanity and Social Advancement for Women; Initiative for the Awareness of Civic Education of Citizens; Initiative for the Rapid Development of Nigeria (IRD-Nigeria) have been approved as election observers.

Others include Inspiring Leadership, Empowerment and Development Foundation; Intellectual Elite Youth Association of Nigeria (IEYAN); Intercontinental Leadership Initiative; International Standard Centre for Development; Justice Initiative for the Disadvantaged and Oppressed Persons (JIDOP); Muslim Sisters for Social Justice Initiative; National Democratic Institute; National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies; Network of Men with Disability Foundation; New Dawn for Development Initiative; and New Dimension Network for Peace Initiative.

The Commission as well approved as observers New Dream for Grassroots Development; NESSACTION; Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre; Nigeria Progressive Women and Youth Development Initiative; Nigerian Bar Association; Nigerian Women Trust Fund; Northern Patriotic Front; Patriotic Women Foundation; Police Service Commission; Polling Unit Ambassadors of Nigeria (PUAN); Rightway for Women and Youth in Africa Development Initiative; Rosxywhite Care Foundation; Savera Africa Gender Initiative; Secure Tomorrow Initiative; Society for Peace and Capacity Building; Sonia Initiative for Sustainable Peace and Progress; The Flag Foundation of Nigeria; The Peoples’ Care and Advocacy Initiative; TAF Africa (The Albino Foundation); and Transform Nigeria Citizens Initiative.

INEC also approved Ubuntu Centre for Africa Peace Building and Development; United Nigeria Peace Foundation; Winex Foundation; Women and Youth Development Initiative; Women in Politics Forum; Women of Integrity for Sustainable Advancement Foundation; Womenfest for Betterlife Living Initiative; Women’s Right and Peace Protection Initiative for Africa; Yiaga Africa Initiative; Youth Initiative for Better and Great Nigeria; Your Vote is Your Voice Africa Initiative as election observers in Ekiti State.

It said the foreign observer groups are AUDA-NEPAD Nigeria and Nouvel Perspective.

The Commission, therefore, reaffirmed its readiness to conduct the election, and assured stakeholders of its commitment to delivering a credible and transparent electoral process in Ekiti State.

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