INEC fixes dates for Ekiti, Osun governorship polls
By Jeffrey Agbo
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the dates for the governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states.
According to the commission, the Ekiti election will be held on Saturday, June 20, 2026.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this on Friday during the swearing-in of six newly appointed Resident Electoral Commissioners recently confirmed by the National Assembly.
Yakubu also noted that the commission is finalising arrangements for bye-elections to fill vacant seats in both the National and State Houses of Assembly.
According to the election timetable, party primaries for the Ekiti governorship election will take place between October 20 and November 10, 2025. Political parties are required to upload their nomination forms by 6 p.m. on December 22, 2025.
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The final list of candidates will be published on January 18, 2026, while campaigns will officially begin on January 21 and end 24 hours before the election.
The chairman stated, “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.
“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, 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 governorship election is set for August 8, 2026.
Party primaries will be conducted from November 24 to December 15, 2025.
The nomination portal closes at 6pm on February 9, 2026. The final list of candidates will be released on March 9, 2026, and political campaigns will run from March 11 until a day before the election.
He stated, “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.
“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.”
Yakubu stated that the detailed timetable for both elections has already been uploaded to INEC’s website and social media channels for public access and to guide political parties.
Some Resident Electoral Commissioners have also been redeployed across the country.
The redeployed RECs 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.
Yakubu explained that the redeployment was necessary to support the commission’s work ahead of upcoming elections.
The INEC chairman added, “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.
“Together, all six of you have cumulative experience in election administration or the management of public affairs to justify the confidence reposed in you to serve in the high office of REC.”
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