INEC Announces 2026 Governorship Election Dates for Ekiti, Osun states

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially released the schedule for the 2026 governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states. Ekiti voters will head to the polls on Saturday, June 20, 2026, while Osun’s election is set for Saturday, August 8, 2026.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this on Friday during the swearing-in ceremony of six newly appointed Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs), whose appointments were recently ratified by the National Assembly.

“In line with the requirements of the law, the commission is under legal obligation to publish the notices for major elections not later than 360 days before the date fixed for the election,” Yakubu said. “In compliance with the law, the commission has approved the timetable and schedule of activities for the Ekiti and Osun State governorship elections. The last governorship elections in the two states were held in June and July 2022. The four-year tenure of the governors will end next year.”

For Ekiti State, political party primaries will be held between October 20 and November 10, 2025. Parties must submit their nomination forms by 6:00 p.m. on December 22, 2025. The final list of candidates will be released on January 18, 2026, and political campaigns will begin on January 21, running until a day before the election.

Yakubu detailed: “For Ekiti State, the election will be held on Saturday, 20th June 2026. However, party primaries will start on 20th October 2025 and end on 10th November 2025 to enable Political Parties to upload their nomination forms to the dedicated portal which automatically shuts down by 6.00pm on 22nd December 2025, i.e. not later than 180 days before the election. The final list of candidates will be published on 18th January 2026 while campaign in public by political parties will commence on 21st January 2026 and end 24 hours before election day.”

In Osun State, the timeline begins with party primaries from November 24 to December 15, 2025. The deadline for submitting nominations is 6:00 p.m. on February 9, 2026. INEC will publish the final candidate list on March 9, with campaigning allowed from March 11 until 24 hours before election day.

“In the case of Osun State, the election will be held on Saturday, 8th August 2026. Party primaries will start on 24th November 2025 and end on 15th December 2025,” Yakubu said. “The portal for the upload of nomination forms by political parties closes at 6.00pm on 9th February 2026, i.e. not later than 180 days before the election. The final list of candidates will be published on 9th March 2026, while campaign in public by political parties will commence on 11th March 2026 and end 24 hours before election day.”

INEC has published the full election timetable on its official website and social media platforms to guide political parties and inform the public.

In addition to the election schedules, Yakubu announced the redeployment of several Resident Electoral Commissioners. The new postings include Sa’ad Idris to Gombe, Johnson Sinikiem to Cross River, Feyijimi Ibiyemi to Ogun, Mukhtar Gajiram to Taraba, Chukwuemeka Ibeziako to Abia, and Umar Garba to Sokoto.

He explained, “With the swearing-in of six RECs today, all vacancies have been filled in the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory. It is therefore appropriate to start by congratulating the new RECs that have just taken the oath of office. The conduct of elections is not only a huge responsibility but also a sacred duty. As RECs, you are the representatives of the commission in the various states to which you will be deployed shortly. The work of the commission is, to say the least, very challenging.”

Yakubu emphasized the importance of accountability, stating, “As you assume or resume duty, I urge you to focus on your responsibilities. Let me make it clear from the outset that you must at all times be guided by the electoral legal framework, the code of conduct for RECs as well as the regulations and guidelines governing the commission’s operations. Above all, you must always act in good conscience. Do not betray your oath of office.”

He added, “You must never act independently or think that you can act in violation of the law, regulations and guidelines or defy the commission without consequences. We will hold you accountable for your actions and inactions. We will not hesitate to deal with acts of defiance, indiscretion or transgression on the part of any Resident Electoral Commissioner.”

Addressing public concern over delays in by-elections and voter registration, Yakubu said preparations are nearing completion. “The commission is aware of the concern expressed by many Nigerians about the pending bye-elections and the resumption of the Continuous Voter Registration nationwide. The number of bye-elections has now risen to 17. We are aware of the urgency to commence the CVR, particularly in view of the forthcoming governorship election in Anambra State. We want to assure Nigerians that we are finalising our preparations for both activities, the details of which will soon be made public,” he said.