The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially announced the dates for the governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun States, scheduling them for Saturday, June 20, 2026, and Saturday, August 8, 2026, respectively. The announcement was made by INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, on Friday during the swearing-in ceremony of six newly appointed Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) in Abuja, whose nominations were recently confirmed by the National Assembly.

Professor Yakubu explained that the early release of the election timetable is in compliance with the Electoral Act, which mandates the commission to publish notices for major elections not later than 360 days before the scheduled polling date. The current four-year tenures of the governors of Ekiti and Osun states, who were elected in June and July 2022, are set to expire in 2026, necessitating these preparations.

For Ekiti State, the governorship election will be held on Saturday, June 20, 2026. According to the detailed schedule, party primaries are set to commence on October 20, 2025, and conclude on November 10, 2025. Political parties will then be required to upload their nomination forms to INEC's dedicated portal, which will close at 6:00 PM on December 22, 2025, no later than 180 days before the election. The final list of candidates will be published on January 18, 2026, and public campaigning by political parties will officially begin on January 21, 2026, ending 24 hours before election day.

In the case of Osun State, the governorship election is scheduled for Saturday, August 8, 2026. Party primaries will run from November 24, 2025, to December 15, 2025. The deadline for political parties to upload their nomination forms is 6:00 PM on February 9, 2026, also adhering to the 180-day pre-election requirement. The final list of candidates for the Osun election will be published on March 9, 2026, with public campaigns commencing on March 11, 2026, and concluding 24 hours prior to the election.

The upcoming 2026 elections will determine the fate of the incumbent governors: H.E Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji of Ekiti State, serving under the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, representing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), both of whom are vying for a second term in office.

Beyond the Ekiti and Osun polls, Professor Yakubu also addressed other critical activities of the commission. He acknowledged public concerns regarding pending bye-elections, the number of which has now risen to 17, and the nationwide resumption of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR). He assured Nigerians that INEC is finalizing preparations for both, with a particular sense of urgency for the CVR in view of the forthcoming governorship election in Anambra State, which is scheduled for Saturday, November 8, 2025. Details on these activities will be made public soon.

The swearing-in of the six new RECs means that all vacancies for these positions in the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory have now been filled. Professor Yakubu also mentioned the redeployment of some existing RECs across the country to support the commission's work. The redeployed RECs include Sa'ad Idris to Gombe, Johnson Sinikiem to Cross River, Feyijimi Ibiyemi to Ogun, Mukhtar Gajiram to Taraba, Chukwuemeka Ibeziako to Abia, and Umar Garba to Sokoto. He clarified that such redeployments are routine administrative exercises.

In his address to the newly sworn-in and redeployed RECs, Chairman Yakubu emphasized the significant responsibility and sacred duty they hold. He urged them to always be guided by the electoral legal framework, the code of conduct for RECs, and INEC's operational regulations and guidelines. "You must always act in good conscience. Do not betray your oath of office... We will hold you accountable for your actions and inactions," he charged, warning against defiance, indiscretion, or transgression.

Speaking on behalf of the new appointees, REC Sa'ad Idris reaffirmed their commitment to upholding the Constitution of Nigeria, the Electoral Act, and all INEC guidelines and policies. He highlighted the centrality of their role to the integrity of the electoral process and pledged to discharge their duties with utmost integrity, impartiality, and professionalism. Idris also stressed the importance of voter education, citizen participation, and collaboration with stakeholders like political parties, civil society, media, and security agencies to ensure every vote counts.

INEC has made the detailed Timetable and Schedule of Activities for both the Ekiti and Osun State governorship elections available on its official website and social media platforms for public information and the guidance of political parties.