It was a double activity for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Friday, as it announced the dates for the upcoming Ekiti and Osun governorship elections for June 20, 2026, and August 8, 2026, respectively, and swore in new Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs). In performing the first of the two duties today, Professor Mahmood
It was a double activity for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Friday, as it announced the dates for the upcoming Ekiti and Osun governorship elections for June 20, 2026, and August 8, 2026, respectively, and swore in new Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs).
In performing the first of the two duties today, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, the Chairman of the electoral body, announced the dates for the off-cycle governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun States, stating that the polls would be held on June 20, 2026, in Ekiti, and on August 8, 2026, in Osun.
The electoral Chairman also formally swore in the six newly ratified Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) as a significant step towards strengthening Nigeria’s electoral process. The ceremony took place today at the INEC Conference Room in Abuja. It was attended by key officials, including National Commissioners, Hon. Secretary to the Commission, Directors, and family members of the appointees.
Speaking on the dates fixed for the Ekiti and Osun elections and the timeline set for the activities leading up to election day, the INEC Chairman explained that party primaries for the Ekiti election would take place between October 20 and November 10, 2025.
Affirming that the information about the polls are on the INEC website, Professor Yakubu instructed the political parties to submit their nomination forms via INEC’s online portal by 6:00 p.m. on December 22, 2025, as the final list their candidates would be published on January 18, 2026 before campaigns would begin on January 21, 2026, and must end 24 hours before election day.
“For Ekiti State, the election will be held on Saturday, 20th June 2026. However, party primaries will start on 20th October 2025 and end on 10th November 2025, enabling political parties to upload their nomination forms to the dedicated portal. The portal will automatically shut down by 6:00 pm on 22nd December 2025, i.e., not later than 180 days before the election. The final list of candidates will be published on 18th January 2026. The campaign in public by political parties will commence on 21st January 2026 and end 24 hours before election day.
“In the case of Osun State, the election will be held on Saturday, 8th August 2026. Party primaries will start on November 24, 2025, and end on December 15, 2025. The portal for uploading nomination forms by political parties closes at 6:00 pm on 9th February 2026, i.e., not later than 180 days before the election. The final list of candidates will be published on 9th March 2026, while the campaign in public by political parties will commence on 11th March 2026 and end 24 hours before election day,” he said.
While swearing in the new RECs, Professor Yakubu also urged them to view their new roles as a sacred responsibility, reiterating that their appointment marks the completion of the Commission’s staffing in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
“Your appointment is a full-time and not a part-time responsibility. You must provide leadership and exercise effective supervision,” the INEC Chairman stated. He reminded the new RECs of the need to operate within the confines of the law, uphold their oaths, and engage constructively with stakeholders while maintaining transparency and professionalism.
The newly sworn-in RECs include two returning appointees, Dr. Johnson Alalibo Sinikiem and Mukhtar Umar Gajiram, who are beginning a second term, and four new RECs: Dr. Sa’ad Umar Idris and Mrs. Feyijimi Saseyi Ibiyemi, both former INEC staff; Chukwuemeka Christopher Ibeziako, a legal practitioner; and Umar Yusuf Garba, an experienced private sector administrator. They have been ratified by the lawmakers following the recommendation of President Bola Tinubu.
Prof. Yakubu further announced the deployment of the new RECs within their respective geopolitical zones—excluding their states of origin—as part of INEC’s policy to enhance neutrality and reduce conflicts of interest.
