Leadnaija
THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled the governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states for June 20 and August 8, 2026, respectively.
The INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, announced the dates on Friday, May 30, during the swearing-in of six newly appointed Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) recently confirmed by the National Assembly.
Providing the timelines for political parties, he explained that party primaries for the Ekiti election would take place between October 20 and November 10, 2025.
He said parties were expected to submit their nomination forms via INEC’s online portal by 6:00 p.m. on December 22, 2025.
He added the final list of candidates would be published on January 18, 2026, while campaigns would begin on January 21, 2026, and must end 24 hours before election day.
“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 to upload their nomination forms to the dedicated portal, which automatically shuts down by 6.00 pm on 22nd December 2025, i.e., 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.
“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 portal for the upload of nomination forms by political parties closes at 6.00 pm on 9th February 2026, i.e,. not later than 180 days before the election. The final list of candidates will be published on 9th March 2026, while the campaign in public by political parties will commence on 11th March 2026 and end 24 hours before election day,” he said.
Yakubu noted that the full timetable and details for both elections had been made available on INEC’s website and social media platforms for public access.
Addressing concerns about pending bye-elections and the suspension of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) nationwide, the INEC boss acknowledged that the number of bye-elections had increased to 17.
“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.”
Earlier this month, the Commission released the personal details of candidates for the 2025 Anambra State governorship election, urging public to scrutinise the documents submitted by political parties.
The call for verification, which includes academic credentials and other key records, was in line with the Electoral Act 2022.
The publication followed the conclusion of party primaries conducted by 16 political parties.
It also urged aspirants with reasonable grounds to believe that a candidate provided false information to challenge the nomination of the candidate in court.
