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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially announced the dates for the upcoming governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states.
This announcement was made by the INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, during the swearing-in ceremony of six newly appointed Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja on Friday.
In his address, Professor Yakubu provided detailed timelines for the electoral processes leading up to the elections in both states. He revealed that party primaries for Ekiti State are slated to begin on October 20, 2025, and conclude by November 10, 2025. For Osun State, party primaries will commence later in the year, running from November 24 to December 15, 2025.
The Chairman noted that the last governorship elections for Ekiti and Osun were conducted in June and July 2022, respectively. Given the constitutionally mandated four-year tenure for governors, the current administrations’ terms are set to expire next year, necessitating the 2026 elections.
Focusing on Ekiti State, Professor Yakubu explained that the governorship election will be held on Saturday, June 20, 2026. He further outlined the process for political parties to upload their nomination forms onto the dedicated INEC portal, emphasizing that this portal will automatically shut down at 6 p.m. on December 22, 2025, which is no later than 180 days before the election date.
Following this, the final list of candidates for Ekiti will be published on January 18, 2026. Campaign activities by political parties will officially begin on January 21, 2026, and will run until 24 hours before the election day, ensuring compliance with electoral regulations.
Regarding the Osun State governorship election, the Chairman confirmed that it is scheduled for Saturday, August 8, 2026. The party primaries for Osun will start on November 24, 2025, and conclude on December 15, 2025.
Similar to Ekiti, political parties will be required to upload their nomination forms by 6 p.m. on February 9, 2026, marking the 180-day deadline before the election. The official list of candidates will be released on March 9, 2026, with public campaigning commencing on March 11, 2026, and ending 24 hours prior to election day.
Professor Yakubu added that comprehensive timetables and schedules of activities for the governorship elections in both states have been uploaded on the INEC website and across the Commission’s social media platforms.
These resources are intended to provide guidance to political parties, stakeholders, and the general public to ensure transparency and adherence to the electoral calendar.
Turning to other electoral matters, the INEC Chairman addressed concerns surrounding pending bye-elections and the resumption of Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) across the country. He acknowledged the growing number of bye-elections, which have now increased to 17, and expressed understanding of the public’s urgency regarding the resumption of CVR activities.
This urgency is particularly heightened by the upcoming governorship election in Anambra State. Professor Yakubu reassured Nigerians that the Commission is finalizing preparations for both the bye-elections and CVR, with details expected to be made public shortly.
The swearing-in ceremony also marked the induction of six new Resident Electoral Commissioners, each assigned to specific states across Nigeria.
The new RECs include Dr. Sa’ad Umar Idris, deployed to Gombe; Dr. Johnson Alalibo Sinikiem, assigned to Cross River; Feyijimi Saseyi Ibiyemi, posted to Ogun; Mukhtar Umar Gajiram, deployed to Taraba; Chukwuemeka Christopher Ibeziako, assigned to Abia; and Umar Yusuf Garba, who will serve in Sokoto State.
In his remarks to the newly appointed RECs, Professor Yakubu emphasized the importance of their roles and the high standards expected of them. He urged them to always operate within the electoral legal framework and abide by the Code of Conduct for RECs, as well as all regulations and guidelines governing INEC’s operations.
The Chairman further encouraged the new commissioners to act with integrity and good conscience, cautioning them not to betray their oaths of office.
He also highlighted the necessity of engagement with stakeholders through regular consultative meetings and warned against becoming impervious to genuine criticisms.
Upholding the traditions of impartiality and accountability, Professor Yakubu charged the RECs to be diligent and transparent in executing their duties, thereby strengthening public trust in the electoral process.