The Independent National Electoral Commission has fixed June 20 and August 8, 2026, for the conduct of the governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states, respectively.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this on Friday during the swearing-in of six newly confirmed Resident Electoral Commissioners in Abuja.
He said the Commission had also released the full timetable and schedule of activities for both elections, including dates for party primaries, publication of candidates’ lists, and commencement of campaigns.
According to the schedule, political parties are to conduct their primaries for the Ekiti governorship poll between October 20 and November 10, 2025. Parties are expected to upload the nomination forms of their candidates to the dedicated INEC portal no later than 6:00 pm on December 22, 2025.
The final list of candidates for Ekiti will be published on January 18, 2026, while campaigns are to commence three days later on January 21 and end 24 hours before the election.
For Osun State, party primaries will hold from November 24 to December 15, 2025. Nomination forms must be submitted via the INEC portal by 6:00 pm on February 9, 2026.
The final list of candidates will be published on March 9, 2026, and campaigns will begin on March 11.
Prof. Yakubu said the timetable was released in strict compliance with the Electoral Act, which mandates the issuance of election notices no less than 360 days before the date of polls.
“In compliance with the law, the commission has approved the timetable and schedule of activities for the Ekiti and Osun State governorship elections,” Yakubu stated.
He noted that the tenures of the incumbent governors will expire in 2026, following the last governorship elections held in June and July 2022.
Yakubu added that the full timetable for the elections has been published on INEC’s official website and social media platforms to guide political parties and the general public.
The INEC boss also revealed that the Commission is finalising plans for upcoming bye-elections to fill vacant seats in the National and State Assemblies.
At the event, six Resident Electoral Commissioners were formally sworn in. They include Sa’ad Idris (redeployed to Gombe), Johnson Sinikiem (Cross River), Feyijimi Ibiyemi (Ogun), Mukhtar Gajiram (Taraba), Chukwuemeka Ibeziako (Abia), and Umar Garba (Sokoto).
Yakubu reiterated the Commission’s commitment to free, fair, and credible elections, urging all political stakeholders to adhere strictly to the guidelines and legal frameworks as preparations for the polls begin.
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