The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled the governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states for Saturday, July 20, and Saturday, August 8, 2026, respectively.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, announced this on Friday during the swearing-in of six recently confirmed Resident Electoral Commissioners by the National Assembly.
Yakubu also mentioned that the commission is making final arrangements for by-elections to fill vacant seats in the National and State Houses of Assembly. According to the timeline, the Ekiti State governorship election will occur on June 20, 2026, with party primaries taking place from October 20 to November 10, 2025. Political parties are required to upload their nomination forms by 6 PM on December 22, 2025, and the final list of candidates will be published on January 18, 2026, with campaigns commencing on January 21 and concluding 24 hours before the election.
He remarked, “As mandated by law, the commission must publish notices for major elections at least 360 days prior to election day. In adherence to this, the commission has approved the timetable for the Ekiti and Osun State governorship elections. Elections in these states last occurred in June and July 2022, and the governors’ terms will conclude next year.”
In Osun State, the governorship election is set for August 8, 2026, with party primaries from November 24 to December 15, 2025. The nomination portal will close at 6 PM on February 9, 2026, with the final candidates’ list to be published on March 9, 2026, and campaigning to start on March 11 until a day before the election.
Yakubu indicated that the comprehensive timetable for both elections is available on INEC’s website and social media to assist political parties. Several Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) have been assigned to different states, including Sa’ad Idris to Gombe and others to Cross River, Ogun, Taraba, Abia, and Sokoto. The chairman noted that this redeployment is crucial for the commission’s operations ahead of forthcoming elections.
Yakubu congratulated the new RECs, reminding them of the significant responsibility they hold. He urged them to stay true to the electoral legal framework and to engage with stakeholders through regular meetings, warning against acting outside the law.
He also addressed public concerns regarding the backlog of 17 pending by-elections and the restart of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR). Yakubu assured citizens that preparations for both the CVR and by-elections are nearly finalized and details will be shared soon.
On behalf of the newly appointed RECs, Idris affirmed their commitment to uphold Nigeria’s constitution, Electoral Act, and INEC guidelines.
