INEC Shifts Osun Governorship Election to August 15, 2026

The Osun State office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed that the 2026 governorship election in the state will now be held on Saturday, August 15, 2026.

The change in date followed a directive from the commission’s national headquarters.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the commission disclosed that the poll, previously scheduled for Saturday, August 8, 2026, was shifted by one week.

The announcement was made by the Osun INEC Public Affairs Officer, Musa Olurode, on behalf of the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mutiu Agboke.

According to the statement, the decision followed an official communication from the commission’s national headquarters in Abuja.

“The adjustment follows an official release from the Commission’s National Headquarters in Abuja,” the statement said.

INEC said political parties, candidates, stakeholders and residents of Osun State had been formally notified of the new date.

The commission noted that several pre-election activities had already been concluded in line with the approved timetable for the governorship contest, adding that they were conducted in accordance with existing electoral guidelines.

It clarified that all outstanding processes would proceed strictly under the framework of the Electoral Act, 2026, stressing that compliance with the law would guide the implementation of the remaining stages of the election.

INEC maintained that the revised date aligns with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Electoral Act, 2026, noting that the adjustment is consistent with established legal requirements.

Reassuring stakeholders, the commission emphasised that the rescheduling would not affect the integrity of the electoral process.

“The rescheduling does not compromise our commitment to conducting a free, fair, credible, inclusive and transparent election,” the statement added.

INEC stressed that the successful conduct of the poll requires collective effort from all parties involved and called on political parties, security agencies, the media, civil society organisations and eligible voters across Osun State to cooperate to ensure a peaceful and orderly governorship election on the new date.