The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled the governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun States for 20 June and 8 August 2026, respectively.
INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, made the announcement on Friday during the swearing-in and deployment of six new Resident Electoral Commissioners at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
He stated that the timetable and schedule of activities for both elections were approved in accordance with legal requirements.
Professor Yakubu explained that, in line with electoral laws, INEC is mandated to publish notices of major elections not later than 360 days before the date of the poll.
He noted that since the last governorship elections in the two states were held in June and July 2022, the four-year tenures of the current governors would conclude in 2026.
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According to the schedule, the Ekiti governorship election will take place on Saturday, 20 June 2026. Party primaries are to be conducted between 20 October and 10 November 2025. Political parties must upload their nomination forms to the designated portal, which will automatically close at 6:00 p.m. on 22 December 2025 no later than 180 days before the election.
The final list of candidates is expected to be published on 18 January 2026, with campaigns officially beginning on 21 January and ending 24 hours before the election.
For Osun State, the election is set for Saturday, 8 August 2026. Party primaries will run from 24 November to 15 December 2025. The portal for uploading nomination forms will close at 6:00 p.m. on 9 February 2026. The final list of candidates will be released on 9 March, with campaigns to commence on 11 March and conclude 24 hours before polling day.
Professor Yakubu confirmed that the full timetable and schedule of activities have been published on the Commission’s website and social media platforms for the benefit of political parties and the general public.
He also addressed public concerns about outstanding bye-elections and the resumption of the nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR).
“We are aware that the number of pending bye-elections has now risen to 17,” he said. “We also recognise the urgency of resuming the CVR, especially in view of the upcoming governorship election in Anambra State.
“We wish to assure Nigerians that we are in the final stages of preparation for both the bye-elections and the CVR. Further details will be released shortly.”
