Deborah Akinyosoye
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed Saturday, July 20, for Ekiti governorship election and Saturday, August 8, 2026 for same exercise in Osun state.
The 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.
According to Yakubu, the governorship election in Ekiti State is scheduled for Saturday, June 20, 2026, while that of Osun State will hold on Saturday, August 8, 2026.
The INEC chairman disclosed that the tenure of the current governors, elected in June and July 2022, will expire in 2026, necessitating the early release of the election timetable and schedule of activities.
Yakubu said: “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 gubernatorial 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 January 18, 2026, while campaign in public by political parties will commence on January 21, 2026, and end 24 hours before election day.
“In the case of Osun State, the election will be held on Saturday, August 8, 2026. Party primaries will start on November 24, 2025, and end on December 15, 2025.
The portal for the upload of nomination forms by Political Parties closes at 6.00pm on February 9 2026 i.e. not later than 180 days before the election. The final list of candidates will be published on 9th March 2026, while the campaign in public by political parties will commence on March 11, 2026 and end 24 hours before election day.
“The Commission is aware of the concern expressed by many Nigerians about the pending bye-elections and the resumption of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) 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.”