The Independent National Electoral Commisson (INEC) has scheduled the governorship election in Ekiti and Osun States for June 20 and August 8 2026 respectively.
The commission also inaugurated six Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs), including two new appointees, Prof Sunday Nwambam Aja, an specialist in Educational Planning and Administration representing the South East geo-political zone and Abdulrazak Tukur Yusuf, a highly experienced election administrator, representing the North West zone.
The chairman of INEC, Prof Mahmood Yakubu said on Friday that with the swearing-in of the six RECs, all vacancies have been filled in the 36 States of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory.
He said, “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 June 20 2026. However, party primaries will start on October 20 2025 and end on November 10 2025 to enable political parties upload their nomination forms to the dedicated portal which automatically shuts down by 6.00pm on December 22 2025, that is not later than 180 days before the election.
“The final list of candidates will be published on January 18 2026 while campaign in public by political parties will commence on January 21 2026 and end 24 hours before election day.
“In the case of Osun State, the election will be held on Saturday August 8 2026. Party primaries will start on November 24 2025 and end on December 15 2025. The portal for the upload of nomination forms by Political Parties closes at 6.00pm on February 9 2026, that is not later than 180 days before the election.
“The final list of candidates will be published on March 9 2026 while campaign in public by political parties will commence on March 11 2026and end 24 hours before election day.”
Yakubu said INEC 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”, he said.
Friday Olokor
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