The Oyo Local Government Election has been officially rescheduled following a revision in Nigeria’s national electoral calendar.
The announcement was made by the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC), which confirmed that the council polls will now take place on Tuesday, December 29, 2026 across all local government areas of the state.
According to the commission, the change became necessary after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) adjusted the timetable for the country’s presidential and National Assembly elections.
INEC had earlier moved the national polls from February 20, 2027 to January 16, 2027, a date that had already been earmarked for the Oyo Local Government Election by the state electoral body.
The development created a potential clash in electoral planning and logistics. To prevent confusion and operational difficulties, OYSIEC decided to review its own schedule and shift the council election to an earlier date.
In a statement issued by the commission’s chairman, Dr Babatunde Adeniyi, the electoral body said the decision was reached after consultations with relevant stakeholders and careful consideration of the state’s electoral arrangements.
The commission explained that the Oyo Local Government Election, which was initially slated for Saturday, January 16, 2027, would now hold on Tuesday, December 29, 2026, between 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
Officials noted that conducting the election earlier would help prevent administrative overlap between state and federal electoral activities.
They also pointed out that the adjustment would make it easier for security agencies, election workers, and observers to properly prepare for the exercise.
The commission emphasized that avoiding congestion in the electoral calendar is important to guarantee a smooth and credible process.
According to OYSIEC, the revised timetable will help ensure effective deployment of security personnel, adequate logistics coordination, and wider participation by voters during the Oyo Local Government Election.
Dr Adeniyi further disclosed that political parties are permitted to continue their campaign activities until midnight on Monday, December 28, 2026, which is the official closing time for electioneering before the polls.
He also explained that the electoral body has already mapped out arrangements for possible rerun elections in areas where results may be contested or cancelled.
In such cases, supplementary polls would be conducted on Tuesday, January 5, 2027, one week after the main election.
Stakeholders, including political parties, civil society organisations, and election observers, have been urged to align their preparations with the updated timetable.
The commission stressed that collaboration among all parties involved would play a crucial role in ensuring the success of the Oyo Local Government Election.
Beyond logistics, the commission reaffirmed its commitment to conducting an election that reflects democratic standards.
OYSIEC stated that it aims to provide a voting process that is transparent, peaceful, and credible so that residents of Oyo State can freely elect their representatives at the grassroots level.
Local government elections are considered vital to strengthening governance at the community level because they determine leadership in councils responsible for basic services and local development initiatives.
As preparations continue, the commission encouraged voters to remain engaged in the democratic process and to participate actively when the Oyo Local Government Election holds in December.
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