The commission also announced the publication of candidates’ personal details in line with the Electoral Act.
By Deborah Hassan
365Daily – The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released the list of candidates eligible to contest the August 8 governorship election in Osun State, with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP) notably absent.
In a statement issued on Monday and signed by the Osun State Public Relations Officer of INEC, Musa Olurode, the commission confirmed that only fourteen political parties successfully met the requirements for the submission of candidates and their running mates within the stipulated timeframe.
According to the release, the parties cleared by INEC are Accord (A), Action Alliance (AA), African Action Congress (AAC), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Action Democratic Party (ADP), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), All Progressives Congress (APC), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Action Peoples Party (APP), Boot Party (BP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Young Progressive Party (YPP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
INEC explained that the list followed the conclusion of political party primaries and the closure of the portal for uploading candidates’ details.
“Following the conclusion of political party primaries and the close of the period for the upload of names and particulars of candidates and their running mates for the Osun State Governorship Election, fourteen (14) political parties have successfully complied with the requirements of the commission within the stipulated time frame,” the statement read.
It added: “The political parties that validly uploaded the names and particulars of their candidates and their running mates as released by the Headquarters of the Commission, Abuja, are: A, AA, AAC, ADC, ADP, APGA, APC, APM, APP, BP, NNPP, PRP, YPP, and ZLP.”
The commission also announced the publication of candidates’ personal details in line with the Electoral Act.
“In accordance with Section 29(3) of the Electoral Act 2022 and as provided in item 4 of the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the Osun State Governorship Election, the Commission has published the personal particulars of candidates and those of their running mates (Form EC9),” it stated.
INEC said copies of each candidate’s Form EC9, along with accompanying academic credentials and other submitted documents, would be displayed at the INEC State Office, all 30 Local Government Area offices, and the Area Office of the commission across Osun State on Monday, February 16, 2026.
The commission reassured voters and stakeholders of its commitment to transparency, professionalism, and the conduct of credible elections in line with the law and democratic best practices.
The absence of PDP and LP from the list is expected to generate political reactions, given their prominence in recent electoral contests across the country.