INEC Sets Dates For 2026 Governorship Elections In Ekiti And Osun States.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that the governorship elections for Ekiti and Osun States will take place on 20 June and 8 August 2026, respectively. The announcement, made by INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu on Friday in Abuja, aligns with the Electoral Act’s requirement to publish election notices at least 360 days prior to the polls.
Prof. Yakubu explained that the current governors, elected in June and July 2022, will conclude their four-year terms in 2026, necessitating the early release of the election timetable. “In compliance with the law, the Commission has approved the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the Ekiti and Osun State Governorship elections,” he stated.
For Ekiti State, party primaries will run from 20 October to 10 November 2025, with political parties required to upload nomination forms to INEC’s dedicated portal by 6:00 pm on 22 December 2025, 180 days before the election. The final list of candidates will be published on 18 January 2026, with public campaigning commencing on 21 January 2026 and ending 24 hours before election day.
In Osun State, party primaries are scheduled from 24 November to 15 December 2025, with nomination forms due by 6:00 pm on 9 February 2026. The final candidate list will be released on 9 March 2026, and campaigning will begin on 11 March 2026, concluding 24 hours before the election.
Yakubu also addressed concerns about pending bye-elections and the resumption of Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) nationwide. With 17 bye-elections currently pending, INEC is finalising preparations for both the CVR and these polls, particularly in light of the upcoming Anambra State governorship election. “We want to assure Nigerians that details of these activities will soon be made public,” he added.
Related developments include INEC’s recent swearing-in of six new Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) and the redeployment of 11 others, alongside regional discussions in Osun.