Nigeria’s electoral body, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has announced the dates for the next governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states.
The elections will take place on Saturday, June 20, 2026 in Ekiti State, and on Saturday, August 8, 2026 in Osun State.
INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, made the announcement on Friday during the swearing-in ceremony for six newly appointed Resident Electoral Commissioners in Abuja.
Yakubu explained that the announcement was in line with Nigeria’s electoral law, which requires that major election dates be published at least 360 days before the polls.
According to the commission, political parties in Ekiti will hold their primaries between October 20 and November 10, 2025, and must submit their candidate details by December 22, 2025. Campaigns can begin on January 21, 2026, and will end 24 hours before election day.
In Osun, party primaries are scheduled between November 24 and December 15, 2025, with nomination forms to be submitted by February 9, 2026. Campaigns will start on March 11, 2026, and also end 24 hours before the election.
The commission said the elections are being scheduled early because the tenure of the current governors, who were elected in 2022, will end in 2026.
Professor Yakubu also addressed public concerns about the delay in conducting 17 pending bye-elections and restarting the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) nationwide. He said preparations are underway and that details would be announced soon, especially ahead of the upcoming governorship election in Anambra State.
INEC reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring free, fair, and credible elections.