The independent national electoral commission has fixed the gubernatorial elections of Ekiti and Osun states for Saturday, July 20, and Saturday, August 8, 2026, respectively.
Mahmood Yakubu, the commission’s chairman, made this known on Friday, during the swearing-in of six newly appointed Resident Electoral Commissioners.
Yakubu said the commission is concluding arrangements for bye-elections to fill vacant seats in the national and state houses of assembly.
He explained that the Ekiti State governorship election will take place on June 20, 2026.
According to the INEC boss, “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.
“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.
“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 a similar vein, Osun State’s governorship election is set for August 8, 2026.
Party primaries will be conducted from November 24 to December 15, 2025.
The nomination portal closes at 6 pm on February 9, 2026. The final list of candidates will be released on March 9, 2026, and political campaigns will run from March 11 until a day before the election.
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.
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“The portal for the upload of nomination forms by political parties closes at 6.00pm 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 campaigning in public by political parties will commence on 11th March 2026 and end 24 hours before election day.”
Yakubu stated that the detailed timetable for both elections has already been uploaded to INEC’s website and social media channels for public access and to guide political parties.
