INEC Fixes June 20, August 8 For Ekiti, Osun Gov’ship Polls In 2026

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed June 20 and August 8, 2026, for the Ekiti and Osun states governorship elections respectively.

INEC chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu announced this during the swearing-in of six newly appointed Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja on Friday.

Yakubu said party primaries for Ekiti will start on October 20 and end November 10, 2025 while that of Osun will be held between November 24 and December 15 this year.

“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 upload their nomination forms to the dedicated portal which automatically shuts down by 6pm on 22nd December, 2025 which is 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.”

Speaking on the details of the Osun election, the INEC chairman said the election will be held on Saturday 8th August, 2026. “Party primaries will start on 24th November, 2025 and end on 15th December, 2025.”

Mahmood said the portal for the upload of nomination forms by political parties will close at 6pm on 9th February, 2026 which is 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.”

Mahmood added that detailed timetable and schedule of activities for both states’ governorship elections have been uploaded to INEC website and social media platforms for the guidance of political parties and public information.

On pending bye-elections, the INEC boss said, “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.”

Meanwhile the INEC chairman has sworn-in six newly appointed RECs including Dr Sa’ad Umar Idris, deployed to Gombe; Dr. Johnson Alalibo Sinikiem, assigned to Cross River; Feyijimi Saseyi Ibiyemi, sent to Ogun; Mukhtar Umar Gajiram, deployed to Taraba; Chukwuemeka Christopher Ibeziako, deployed to Abia and Umar Yusuf Garba who has been assigned to Sokoto State.

Yakubu charged the new RECs to focus on their responsibilities, “You must at all times be guided by the electoral legal framework, the Code of Conduct for RECs as well as the regulations and guidelines governing the Commission’s operations.

“Above all, you must always act in good conscience. Do not betray your oath of office. In the best tradition of the commission, you must engage with stakeholders through regular consultative meetings and must not be impervious to genuine criticisms.”