The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed the conduct of the Ekiti state governorship election for June 20, 2026, while the Osun election, scheduled to take place on August 8, 2026.
The commission added that this was in line with the requirements of the law, stressing that the commission was under legal obligation to publish the notices for major elections not later than 360 days before the date fixed for the election.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu disclosed this on Friday in Abuja at the swearing-in of six Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs).
TheHintsNews reports that the last governorship elections in the two States were held in June and July 2022, with the four-year tenure of the governors ending next year.
Yakubu said: “For Ekiti State, the election will be held on Saturday 20th June 2026.”
He, however, noted that party primaries would 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.
Yakubu revealed that the final list of candidates would be published on 18th January, 2026, while campaigns in public by political parties would commence on 21st January 2026 and end 24 hours before election day.
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 chairman explained that 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.
He said the final list of candidates would be published on 9th March 2026, while campaigns in public by political parties would commence on 11th March 2026 and end 24 hours before election day.
Yakubu stressed that the detailed Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the Ekiti and Osun State governorship elections have been uploaded on INEC website and social media platforms for the guidance of political parties and public information.
He explained that the commission was 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 by-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,” Yakubu noted.