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By Tracy Moses
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled the governorship elections for Ekiti and Osun States for Saturday, July 20, and Saturday, August 8, 2026, respectively.
Chairman of the Commission, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this on Friday, 30th May 2025, in Abuja during the official swearing-in ceremony of six newly confirmed Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs). Their appointments were recently approved by the National Assembly.
Yakubu revealed that preparations are ongoing to conduct 17 outstanding bye-elections to fill existing vacancies in legislative seats, in addition to rolling out a nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, particularly in view of the forthcoming Anambra Governorship election.
He stated: “In line with the Electoral Act, INEC is required to issue a notice of election not later than 360 days before the date fixed for the polls. Accordingly, the timetable and schedule of activities for the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections have been approved.”
The INEC Chairman noted that the incumbent Governors of the two states, who were elected in 2022, are expected to complete their terms in 2026, hence the need to fix new election dates well in advance.
For Ekiti State, the governorship election will hold on Saturday, June 20, 2026. Political parties are expected to hold their primaries between October 20 and November 10, 2025. The deadline for submission of candidates’ nomination forms is 6:00 pm on December 22, 2025, exactly 180 days to the poll.
The final list of candidates will be published on January 18, 2026, while the campaign period runs from January 21, 2026, and ends 24 hours before election day.
In Osun State, the election is scheduled for Saturday, August 8, 2026. Party primaries will be conducted between November 24 and December 15, 2025, with nomination forms due by 6:00 pm on February 9, 2026. The list of cleared candidates will be made public on March 9, 2026, and campaigns will run from March 11 until the day before the election.
Yakubu added that the comprehensive election timetable has been uploaded to INEC’s website and official social media platforms for public access and stakeholder engagement.
Speaking on the forthcoming bye-elections, he said: “There are 17 vacant legislative seats across the country that require filling. The Commission is finalising arrangements and logistics to conduct these bye-elections, as well as to commence the CVR. Further details will be communicated soon.”
On the swearing-in of new Resident Electoral Commissioners, Yakubu underscored the magnitude of their duties, urging them to demonstrate ethical conduct and adhere strictly to INEC’s legal and administrative frameworks.
“As RECs, you are the Commission’s representatives in your respective states. Your decisions and actions must align with the law, the Commission’s values, and public trust. Any deviation from official directives will attract consequences,” he warned.
He reminded the new appointees that their roles are full-time and come with direct accountability for overseeing INEC operations, personnel, logistics, and stakeholder management in their assigned states. In line with INEC’s deployment policy, RECs are posted outside their home states but remain within their geo-political zones.
He also noted that some existing RECs have been reassigned as part of a routine administrative reshuffle. The full list of new and redeployed RECs will be made available on INEC’s digital platforms.
Among those deployed or reassigned are: Mukhtar Umar (Taraba), Hale Gabriel Longpet (Kwara), USA Shaka Ehimeakhe (Bayelsa), Obo Effanga (Akwa Ibom), Johnson Alalibo (Cross River), Feyijimi Saseyi (Ogun), Umar Ibrahim (Bauchi), and Saidu Ahmed (Kaduna).
Others include Muhammed Nura (Adamawa), Sa’ad Umar (Gombe), Chukwuemeka Ibeziako (Abia), Umar Garba (Sokoto), Mohammed Sadiq (Plateau), Mahmuda Isa (Zamfara), Agundu Tersoo (Kogi), and Gabriel Tomorrow (Rivers).
Speaking on behalf of the newly inducted RECs, Sa’ad Umar, a former Director at the Electoral Institute, reaffirmed their dedication to enhancing the transparency and credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process.
“As new RECs, we recognize the importance of our roles in advancing democracy. We pledge to carry out our responsibilities with fairness, diligence, and adherence to professional standards,” Umar said.