INEC Lifts Campaign Ban for 2026 Ekiti Poll

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially signaled the commencement of political activities in Ekiti State by lifting the ban on public campaigns for the upcoming June 20, 2026, governorship election. Starting Wednesday, January 21, 2026, political parties are permitted to take to the streets and airwaves to woo voters, marking a critical transition into the peak of the election season.

During a high-stakes stakeholders' meeting held in Ado Ekiti on Tuesday, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for the state, Dr. Bunmi Omoseyindemi, laid out the strict timelines for the campaign period. He confirmed that while activities begin today, all public campaigning must cease by midnight on June 18, 2026. This window provides candidates exactly five months to present their manifestos to the electorate before the mandatory cooling-off period.

However, the lifting of the ban came with a direct warning. Dr. Omoseyindemi urged all political actors to maintain the highest level of decorum, specifically cautioning against the use of hate speech, misinformation, and the instigation of violence. The REC emphasized that the commission would be monitoring activities closely to ensure that the democratic process is not undermined by toxic rhetoric that could jeopardize the peace of the state.

​The meeting also served as a forum to address the final list of candidates. INEC recently published the names of governorship aspirants and their running mates for the 12 cleared political parties. Notably, candidates from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) remain missing from the official roster. Both parties have indicated they are currently in court seeking legal redress to secure their participation in the June polls.

As the race for the Ekiti State Government House intensifies, observers are watching closely to see how the political parties navigate this active phase. The REC reminded party leaders that the publication of the final list and the start of campaigns represent a point of no return in the electoral calendar. He called on all stakeholders, including security agencies and civil society, to collaborate in ensuring a transparent and credible election.