JUST IN: INEC Confirms Dates For Ekiti, Osun Governorship Polls

JUST IN: INEC Confirms Dates For Ekiti, Osun Governorship Polls

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 this on Friday during the swearing-in ceremony of six newly appointed Resident Electoral Commissioners, who were recently confirmed by the National Assembly.

He also mentioned that the Commission is finalising plans to conduct bye-elections to fill vacant positions in the National and State Assemblies.

According to the election timetable, the Ekiti State governorship election is set for June 20, 2026. Party primaries are to take place between October 20 and November 10, 2025.

Political parties must upload their nomination forms by 6:00 p.m. on December 22, 2025. The final list of candidates will be released on January 18, 2026, with campaigns running from January 21 until 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.”

Osun State Date:

The governorship election is scheduled for August 8, 2026. Party primaries will be held from November 24 to December 15, 2025. The deadline for uploading nomination forms is 6:00 p.m. on February 9, 2026.

The final list of candidates will be published on March 9, 2026, while campaigns are to run from March 11 up 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.”

Prof.Yakubu added that the comprehensive timetable for both elections has been published on INEC’s official website and social media platforms to guide political parties and inform the public.