INEC announces 2026 Ekiti and Osun governorship elections schedule ahead of tenure expiration.
Timetable Structured to Meet Legal Requirements for Ekiti and Osun Governorship Elections
The four-year tenures of both sitting governors, who emerged from the 2022 electoral cycle, are set to expire in 2026. This timeframe guided the commission’s decision to release the election roadmap early, ensuring stakeholders have sufficient notice to prepare.
Yakubu confirmed that the electoral process in Ekiti State begins with party primaries from 20 October to 10 November 2025. Political parties are expected to submit nomination forms via INEC’s dedicated portal by 6:00 p.m. on 22 December 2025, in line with the six-month pre-election deadline.
Publication of the final candidate list is scheduled for 18 January 2026, while political campaigns will officially commence on 21 January, ending 24 hours before the election.
Osun Governorship Process to Begin in November
Osun’s electoral timeline follows a similar structure. Political parties are to conduct primaries between 24 November and 15 December 2025. INEC’s nomination portal will close on 9 February 2026, followed by the release of the final candidate list on 9 March.
Campaigns in Osun will begin on 11 March 2026 and must conclude by 7 August, a day before voters head to the polls.
Continuous Voter Registration and Bye-Elections
Yakubu also addressed concerns about voter access, particularly relating to the status of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) and several pending legislative bye-elections.
A total of 17 bye-elections remain unresolved. Yakubu stated that the commission is finalizing operational details for resuming CVR across the country. Additional information is expected soon, especially as states like Anambra also prepare for upcoming elections.
Electoral Process and Candidate Preparedness
INEC emphasized that political parties must adhere to strict submission deadlines to ensure a smooth and credible electoral process.
It further noted that digital submission of nominations, as enforced through the commission’s portal, remains mandatory.
INEC’s decision to announce the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections well in advance is consistent with provisions in Nigeria’s Electoral Act.
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Sectional guidelines direct the commission to release election notices within a year of the poll dates, ensuring early awareness for political actors and the electorate.
Governorship elections in both states last took place in mid-2022. The next polls will mark the end of the current governors’ four-year terms.
