The Independent National Election Commission (Inec) has officially scheduled the 2026 Governor Election in Ekiti and Osun countries for Saturday, June 20 and Saturday, August 8, respectively.
Chairman Inec, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, announced the date on Friday during the ceremony of the six commissioners of the newly appointed population election (Recs) at the commission headquarters in Abuja.
In a detailed speech, Jacobu explained that the decision was in line with the constitutional provisions that mandated the general elections at the latest 30 days before the end of the governor’s term of office.
Also read: Adesina Bows as President of AFDB, Sidi Ould Tah Mauritania takes over
Schedule for Ekiti Governor Election:
Election Date: Saturday, June 20, 2026
Primary Party: October 20 – November 10, 2025
The deadline for uploading the nomination form: December 22, 2025 (at 18:00)
Final List of Candidates: January 18, 2026
Campaign Period: January 21 – June 19, 2026
Schedule for Osun Governor Election:
Election Date: Saturday, August 8, 2026
Primary Party: 24 November – December 15, 2025
The deadline for uploading the nomination form: 9 February 2026 (at 18:00)
Final Candidate List: March 9, 2026
Campaign Period: March 11 – August 7, 2026
Jacobu convinced the stakeholders that detailed schedules and schedules for the two elections were available on the official Inec website and social media channels for the guidance of political parties and public consumption.
Outside the elections in Ekiti and Osun, the Chairperson of Inec acknowledged the increasing public concern about the delay in the BYE election and the re-registration of Sustainable Voter Registration (CVR) which was highly anticipated.
“The number of delayed bye selections has now increased to 17,” he said. “We are aware of the urgency to start CVR, especially with the upcoming governor election in the state of Anambra.”
Jacobu assured Nigerians that the commission completed preparations for the selection of Bye and CVR. He promised that complete details would be published soon.
He also noted that the arrangement was being carried out to fill the empty legislative seats in the national and state assembly, vacancies caused by court decisions, resignation, or death.