The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that the Edo State governorship election would be held on 21st September 2024, while that of Ondo State would be held on 16th November of the same year.
Governor Godwin Obaseki ends his two terms of four years each on 11th November 2024, while his Ondo State counterpart, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu will exit from office on 23rd February 2025 after also serving the maximum two terms.
INEC noted that the declaration is in pursuance of the provisions of Section 178 (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) states that election into the said offices shall be held not earlier than 150 days and not later than 30 days before the expiration of the tenure of the last holder of the office.
Similarly, Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022 requires the Commission to publish Notice for the Election not later than 360 days before the date of the election.
The commission further said that details of the elections would be published and made public both on the INEC website and across its social media platforms.
A statement by its National Commissioner/Chairman of Information and Voter Education Committee, Mr. Sam Olumekun, on Tuesday, read in part: “The latest date for election to the office of Governor, Edo State, is 12th October 2024, while that of Ondo State is 24th January 2025.
“In exercise of the powers conferred by the Constitution and the Electoral Act, the Commission issues the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the Edo and Ondo State Governorship elections as follows:
“The Edo governorship election will hold on Saturday, 21st September 2024.
“Party primaries will hold from 1st to 24th February 2024, while the submission of the list of nominated candidates via the online portal will start at 9:00 am. on 4th March 2024, and close at 6:00 pm. on 24th March 2024.
“The final list of candidates will be published on 23rd April 2024, while the campaign in public by political parties commences on 24th April 2024, and ends 24 hours prior to election day on 19th September 2024″.
For Ondo State, the commission added: “The governorship election will hold on Saturday, 16th November 2024.
“Party primaries will hold from 6th to 27th April 2024, while the submission of the list of nominated candidates via the online portal will start at 9:00 am on 29th April 2024, and close at 6:00 pm on 20th May 2024.
“The final list of candidates will be published on 18th June 2024, while the campaign in public by political parties commences on 19th June 2024, and ends 24 hours prior to election day on 14th November 2024.”
