Nigeria’s electoral body, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced the process for 2026 Governorship Election in Osun State.
Speaking during an INEC Stakeholders’ Forum in Osogbo, the State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr Mutiu Agboke, said the process began with the pasting of Official Election Notice in all the local government areas as well as the Area Office.
“Let me inform you now that as we speak, the notice of the 2026 Governorship Election for Osun State has been duly posted in all the 30 local government offices including the Area office at Modakeke. With this notice, all activities that will culminate into the 2026 Governorship election in Osun State has commenced,” he stated.
Agboke explained that the election timetable released by the Commission’s headquarters had stipulated that party primaries as well as resolution of disputes arising from such primaries must start on 24th November, 2025 and end on 15th December, 2025.
He urged political parties as well as other stakeholders participating in the election to follow the timetable in order to be able to track the activities contained in it, promising to make the timetable available to all the political parties for easy reference.
The REC said: “Going by the time table released by the headquarters of the commission, the conduct of party primaries including resolution of disputes arising from the primaries will start on the 24th day of November, 2025 and end on the 15th day of December, 2025.
“This is necessary to enable political parties democratically nominate candidates for the election as required by section 84 of the Electoral Act, 2022.
“The submission of forms EC9 ( personal particulars of candidates) and EC9B (Names/list of nominated candidates) online at the nomination portal of the commission at 9am on the 15th day of January, 2026 to 6pm on the 9th February 2026.”
Electoral Statistics
Highlighting the current electoral statistics for the state as of 31st July, 2025, Agboke stated that the number of registered voters stood at 1, 954,800.
He said the number of permanent voter cards (PVCs) collected stood at 1, 594,006, with a total of 360,794 remaining uncollected. The number of Registration Areas/Electoral Wards remained 332, while the Number of Polling Units stood at 3,763.
The REC also disclosed that the Continuous Voters Registration (CVR), another crucial aspect of the electoral process would commence on August 18, with an initial online registration, followed by a facial and biometric capture exercise, and then ending with a physical registration at the INEC office in the registrant’s local government.
Voter Education
He urged political parties to play by the rules and engage in voter education among their supporters, stressing its importance in building the electorate’s democratic culture and deepening the nation’s democracy.
Agboke reiterated the Commission’s commitment to delivering a free, fair and credible election to the people of Osun State.
He called for continued support from all stakeholders including the electorate, political parties and civil society organisations.
Confidence Okwuchi