The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the dates for the upcoming off-cycle governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun States.
According to Naija News, INEC has scheduled the Ekiti State gubernatorial election for Saturday, July 20, 2026, while the Osun State election will take place on Saturday, August 8, 2026.
This announcement was made by INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, during the swearing-in ceremony of six newly appointed Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) in Abuja on Friday, May 30, 2025. The new RECs were recently confirmed by the National Assembly.
Yakubu also revealed that INEC is putting final touches on arrangements to conduct bye-elections to fill vacant seats in both the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly.
In another development, INEC has disclosed plans to take advantage of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to improve election management.
During its meeting last Thursday, the commission launched a new AI division within its Information and Communication Technology (ICT) department.
This was shared in a statement by Sam Olumekun, INEC’s National Commissioner for Information and Voter Education Committee.
Olumekun said the commission recognized how AI can help with better decision-making, risk management, and the protection of sensitive data.
He added that incorporating AI into election management is part of INEC’s ongoing efforts to reform and modernize Nigeria’s electoral system.
