The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled the governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states for Saturday, June 20 and Saturday, August 8, 2026, respectively.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, announced the dates on Friday during the swearing-in ceremony of six newly appointed Resident Electoral Commissioners recently confirmed by the National Assembly.
According to Yakubu, political parties are expected to conduct their primaries for the Ekiti governorship election between October 20 and November 10, 2025. The deadline for uploading nomination forms on the dedicated portal is 6:00 p.m. on December 22, 2025. The final list of candidates will be published on January 18, 2026, while campaigns will commence on January 21 and end 24 hours before election day.
For Osun State, party primaries are to be held between November 24 and December 15, 2025. The deadline for submission of nomination forms is 6:00 p.m. on February 9, 2026. The final list of candidates will be released on March 9, 2026, and campaigns will run from March 11 until 24 hours before the August 8 poll.
Yakubu noted that the detailed timetable and schedule of activities for both elections have been made available on the Commission’s website and social media platforms.
He also addressed concerns over pending bye-elections and the resumption of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise across the country. According to him, the number of pending bye-elections has 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 finalizing our preparations for both activities, the details of which will soon be made public,” he said.
