The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially announced the dates for the 2026 governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun States. Speaking during the swearing-in ceremony of six newly appointed Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) on Friday, INEC Chairman Professor Mahmood Yakubu confirmed that voters in Ekiti State will head to the polls on Saturday, July 20, 2026, while residents of Osun State will cast their ballots on Saturday, August 8, 2026.
Professor Yakubu stressed the importance of these elections in consolidating Nigeria’s democratic journey, reiterating INEC’s unwavering commitment to delivering free, fair, and credible elections. He noted that the newly sworn-in RECs, whose appointments were recently confirmed by the National Assembly, will be pivotal in ensuring the smooth conduct of the electoral process across their assigned states.
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The announcement comes at a critical time as political parties and stakeholders begin ramping up preparations for the elections, which are expected to be hotly contested. With the political landscape heating up, the Ekiti and Osun governorship races are already drawing nationwide attention as test cases for Nigeria’s electoral integrity ahead of the next general elections.
In a related development, Professor Yakubu also revealed that INEC is intensifying its preparations for several bye-elections to fill vacant seats in both the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly. These bye-elections, he emphasized, are essential to maintaining effective legislative representation and ensuring the uninterrupted functioning of democratic institutions at both state and federal levels.
