From David Onuoja, Abuja
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has released the timetable for Ekiti and Osun States Governorship Elections which is scheduled to hold on 20th June and 8th August, 2026 respectively.
Announcing this at INEC headquarters Maitama, Abuja on Friday, the Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, said, by middle of next year, another off-cycle elections will holds in Ekiti and Osun States respectively.
He said, “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. And 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.
In the case of Ekiti State, the election will be held on Saturday 20th June 2026. Prior to this, 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 6.00pm on 22nd December 2025, not later than 180 days before the election. And 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.
While that 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, 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.
Yakubu added that the detailed Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the Ekiti and Osun State governorship elections have been uploaded to the INEC website and social media platforms for the guidance of political parties and public information.
Speaking further on the pending bye-elections in the Country, professor Yakubu 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”, he declared.
