The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed the governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states for Saturday, July 20, and Saturday, August 8, 2026, respectively.
Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, INEC Chairman, made this known on Friday during the swearing-in of six newly appointed Resident Electoral Commissioners, who were recently confirmed by the National Assembly.
Yakubu also stated that the commission is preparing plans for by-elections to fill empty seats in the National and State Houses of Assembly.
According to the plan, the Ekiti State governorship election will be held on June 20, 2026.
Party primaries will take place between October 20 and November 10, 2025.
Political parties must submit their nomination forms by 6 p.m. on December 22, 2025.
The final list of candidates will be published on January 18, 2026, while campaigns will begin on January 21 and end 24 hours before the election, INEC announced.
The chairman stated, “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 6.00pm 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 campaigning in public by political parties will commence on 21st January 2026 and end 24 hours before election day.”
According to INEC, the governorship election in Osun State is scheduled for August 8, 2026.
Party primaries will take place from November 24 until December 15, 2025.
The nomination portal expires at 6 p.m. on February 9, 2026.
The full list of candidates will be announced by INEC on March 9, 2026, and political campaigns will take place from March 11 until the day of 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.
“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.”
The INEC chairman 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.
Some Resident Electoral Commissioners have been redeployed throughout the country.
Redeployed RECs include Sa’ad Idris to Gombe, Johnson Sinikiem to Cross River, Feyijimi Ibiyemi to Ogun, Mukhtar Gajiram to Taraba, Chukwuemeka Ibeziako to Abia, and Umar Garba to Sokoto.
Yakubu stated that the redeployment was required to support the commission’s work ahead of the 2018 elections.
The INEC chairman added, “With the swearing-in of six RECs today, all vacancies have been filled in the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory. It is therefore appropriate to start by congratulating the new RECs that have just taken the oath of office.
“The conduct of elections is not only a huge responsibility but also a sacred duty. As RECs, you are the representatives of the commission in the various states to which you will be deployed shortly. The work of the commission is, to say the least, very challenging.
“Together, all six of you have cumulative experience in election administration or the management of public affairs to justify the confidence reposed in you to serve in the high office of REC.”
While the impacted RECs have already been officially notified, a complete list of their new postings will be published shortly on INEC’s official website and social media platforms.
He stressed that REC redeployment is a routine administrative operation that may be repeated as needed.
The INEC chairman urged the RECs, “As you assume or resume duty, I urge you to focus on your responsibilities. Let me make it clear from the outset that you must at all times be guided by the electoral legal framework, the code of conduct for RECs, and the regulations and guidelines governing the commission’s operations.
“Above all, you must always act in good conscience. Do not betray your oath of office. In the best tradition of the Commission, you must engage with stakeholders through regular consultative meetings and must not be impervious to genuine criticisms.
“You must never act independently or think that you can act in violation of the law, regulations and guidelines or defy the commission without consequences.
“We will hold you accountable for your actions and inactions. We will not hesitate to deal with acts of defiance, indiscretion or transgression on the part of any Resident Electoral Commissioner.”
He addressed public concerns about the delay in conducting by-elections and the resumption of Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) nationwide.
The number of pending by-elections has now reached 17. He assured Nigerians that preparations for both the CVR and by-elections are nearing completion and full details will be announced soon.
“The commission is aware of the concern expressed by many Nigerians about the pending bye-elections and the resumption of the Continuous Voter Registration 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,” the INEC chief concluded.
