Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has approved 14 political parties to participate in the August 8, 2026, governorship election in Osun State.
Gatekeepers News reports that in a statement released on Saturday in Osogbo, the commission’s state public relations officer, Musa Olurode, said the cleared parties met all requirements by completing their primaries and uploading the names and details of their candidates and running mates within the stipulated deadline.
He explained that the approval followed the conclusion of party primaries and the closure of the candidate submission portal, noting that only parties that fully complied with the commission’s guidelines were cleared.
“INEC hereby notifies political parties and the general public that, following the conclusion of political party primaries and the close of the period for uploading the names and particulars of candidates and their running mates, 14 political parties successfully complied with the Commission’s requirements within the stipulated timeframe,” the statement said.
The cleared parties are Accord, Action Alliance, African Action Congress, African Democratic Congress, Action Democratic Party, All Progressives Grand Alliance, All Progressives Congress, Allied Peoples Movement, Action Peoples Party, Boot Party, New Nigeria Peoples Party, Peoples Redemption Party, Young Progressive Party, and Zenith Labour Party.
Olurode said the commission has published the personal details of all cleared candidates and their running mates using Form EC9, in line with Section 29(3) of the Electoral Act 2022. He added that the documents would be displayed at the INEC State Office, the 30 local government offices, and the area office across Osun from Monday, February 16, to allow public scrutiny.
He urged political parties, candidates, and members of the public to carefully examine the documents and raise objections where necessary, as provided by law.
Meanwhile, the state resident electoral commissioner, Mutiu Agboke, assured stakeholders of INEC’s readiness to conduct a credible, transparent, and peaceful election.
He called on political parties, candidates, security agencies, civil society groups, and voters to cooperate fully with the commission to ensure a smooth electoral process.
The Osun governorship election is expected to be keenly contested, as it will determine the political direction of the state for the next four years, with security, voter participation, and peaceful conduct ranking high among key concerns.
