The Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission has announced the 29th of December, 2026, as the new date for local government elections across the 33 local government areas in Oyo State.
Chairman of the commission, Babatunde Adeniyi, revealed the adjustment in a statement issued on Tuesday, the 10th of March, 2026, in Ibadan.
The change followed a revision to the national election schedule by the Independent National Electoral Commission, which moved the Presidential and National Assembly elections from the 20th of February, 2027, to the 16th of January, 2027. That date had earlier been selected by the state electoral body for its council polls.
Adeniyi explained that the shift in the national timetable created a clash with the date previously set for the local government elections in the state.
He said, “The Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission hereby informs political parties, security agencies, stakeholders and the general public that the Local Government Election earlier scheduled for Saturday, January 16, 2027, has been rescheduled to Tuesday, December 29, 2026, between 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.”
The statement read, “The Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission hereby informs political parties, security agencies, stakeholders, and the general public that the Local Government Election earlier scheduled for Saturday, 16 January 2027, has been rescheduled to Tuesday, 29 December 2026, between 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
“This decision became necessary following the recent revision of the national electoral timetable by the Independent Electoral Commission, which moved the Presidential and National Assembly elections from February 20, 2027, to January 16, 2027 a date previously scheduled by OYSIEC for the conduct of Local Government Elections in Oyo State thereby creating an operational and logistical overlap.
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“After due consultation, the Commission resolved to reschedule the election to Tuesday, 29 December 2026, to prevent operational congestion, ensure optimal security deployment, protect voter participation, maintain administrative clarity, and safeguard the integrity of the electoral process.”
Adeniyi also announced that political campaigns will end at midnight on the 28th of December 2026.
He added that a rerun poll will take place on the 5th of January, 2027, if required.
The commission urged political parties and other stakeholders to continue their preparations based on the new timetable, stressing its commitment to delivering a peaceful and credible council election.