INEC Announces Timetables for Ekiti, Osun Governorship Elections

By Toffa Momoh, Abuja

In the spirit of planning and institutional continuity, the INEC Chairman used the same occasion to unveil the official Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2026 Governorship Elections in Ekiti and Osun States, in accordance with Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022. This legal provision requires INEC to publish notices of elections no later than 360 days before the election.

The Ekiti Governorship Election will take place on Saturday, 20th June 2026, while Osun’s is scheduled for Saturday, 8th August 2026.

Reinforcing INEC’s commitment to transparency and early stakeholder engagement, Prof. Yakubu emphasized that the comprehensive timelines for party primaries, nomination submissions, candidate publications, and campaign periods have been carefully structured to give political parties and other stakeholders ample time for adequate preparations.

Ekiti State Timetable

Party Primaries: 20th October – 10th November 2025

Submission of Nomination Forms: Deadline – 6:00 p.m., 22nd December 2025

Publication of Final List of Candidates: 18th January 2026

Commencement of Campaigns: 21st January 2026

End of Campaigns: Midnight, 19th June 2026.

Osun State Timetable:

Party Primaries: 24th November – 15th December 2025

Submission of Nomination Forms: Deadline – 6:00 p.m., 9th February 2026

Publication of Final List of Candidates: 9th March 2026

Commencement of Campaigns: 11th March 2026

End of Campaigns: Midnight, 7th August 2026

“The detailed Timetable and Schedule of Activities have been uploaded to the Commission’s website and social media platforms for the information of political parties, civil society organisations, and the general public,” Prof. Yakubu confirmed.

The INEC Chairman acknowledged rising public interest in two key operational areas: the backlog of pending bye-elections, now numbering 17, and the anticipated resumption of Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) nationwide. He assured the public that concrete plans for both activities are nearing completion and would soon be made public.