INEC Fixes Dates For Ekiti, Osun Governorship Election

By Ayodele Oni

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Nigeria’s election umpire, has fixed Ekiti and Osun Governorship elections for Saturday June 18 and Saturday July 16, 2022 respectively.

The Commission made the announcement in Abuja on Wednesday.

INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, said the detailed timetable and schedule of activities for the elections have been uploaded on the Commission’s website and social media platforms.

Details of the time table, as listed on the INEC portal, indicate as follows :

Timetable and Schedule of Activities for Ekiti State Governorship Election dated 10 June 2021 and signed by INEC Secretary, Mrs. Rose Oriaran-Anthony.

The timetable outlined the schedule of activities in the build up to the election, starting from the publishing of the Notice of Election on January 11, 2022.

The tenure of the Governor of Ekiti State will expire on the 16th October, 2022.

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 178 (1) and (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and Section 25 (7) and (8) of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended), the earliest date for the Election into the office of the Governor, Ekiti State, shall be the 18 May, 2022 and the latest date for the Election shall be 17 September, 2022.

By virtue of the provisions of Section 178 (2) of the Constitution and Section 25 (8) of the Electoral Act, Election into the office of a State Governor shall hold not earlier than 150 days and not later than 30 days before the expiration of the term of office of the last holder of the office.

The Commission is by virtue of Section 30 (1) of the Electoral Act, expected to issue Notice of the Election not later than 90 days before the date of the Election.

This is in exercise of the powers conferred on INEC by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended) and of all other powers enabling it in that behalf.

The notice also listed February 18, 2022 as the date for the publication of Personal particulars (EC9) and 12 March, 2022 as the last day for the withdrawal/replacement of candidates by political parties.

While it listed 19 March, 2022 as the last day for the submission of nomination forms (EC13B) by political parties; the notice also stated 20 March, 2022 as the date for the commencement of campaigns by parties.