The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed the gubernatorial election in Ekiti and Osun States for July 20 and August 8, 2026, respectively.

INEC chairman Mahmood Yakubu announced the new date during the swearing-in of six newly appointed Resident Electoral Commissioners (REC) in Abuja on Friday.

Mr Yakubu said the primaries for the Ekiti election will be held between October 20 and November 10, 2025.

He also noted that the final list of the candidates would be published on January 18, 2026, while campaigns will begin on January 21 and end 24 hours before the election.

According to Mr Yakubu, the primaries for the Osun poll would be conducted from November 24 to December 15, 2025.

He added that the final list of candidates will be released on March 9, 2026, while political campaigns will run from March 11 until a day before the election.

“The portal for the upload of nomination forms by political parties closes at 6:00 p.m. on February 9 2026, i.e. not later than 180 days before the election.

“The final list of candidates will be published on March 9 2026, while campaigns in public by political parties will commence on March 11 2026 and end 24 hours before election day,” Mr Yakubu said.

He named the redeployed Residential Electoral Commissioner (REC) to include Sa’ad Idris to Gombe, Johnson Sinikiem to Cross River and Feyijimi Ibiyemi to Ogun.

Others include Mukhtar Gajiram to Taraba, Chukwuemeka Ibeziako to Abia, and Umar Garba to Sokoto.