The Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC) has announced a new date for the conduct of local government elections across the state’s 33 local government areas. The commission confirmed that the elections will now take place on Tuesday, December 29, 2026.

The announcement was made by the Chairman of the commission, Babatunde Adeniyi, in a statement issued in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Tuesday. According to the commission, the adjustment became necessary after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) revised the timetable for the 2027 general elections.

Originally, the local government elections in Oyo State had been scheduled for Saturday, January 16, 2027. However, INEC later moved the date for the Presidential and National Assembly elections from February 20, 2027, to January 16, 2027, creating a scheduling conflict with the OYSIEC plan.

The commission explained that the overlap between the two electoral exercises would have created operational and logistical challenges, making it necessary to change the date for the state’s local government polls.

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In the statement dated March 4, 2026, Adeniyi said the commission carefully reviewed the situation before arriving at the decision to reschedule the election.

“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.,” Adeniyi stated.

The commission noted that the revision was essential to avoid an operational clash with the newly scheduled presidential and National Assembly elections announced by INEC.

According to the statement, after consultations with relevant authorities and stakeholders, the commission concluded that shifting the election date would help maintain administrative efficiency and ensure adequate preparation for the polls.

OYSIEC also emphasized that the change was aimed at preventing congestion in electoral activities, allowing for proper security coordination, and safeguarding voter participation during the exercise.

The commission added that the adjustment would help maintain clarity in the electoral process and protect the credibility and integrity of the local government elections in the state.

As part of the updated electoral timetable, the commission stated that campaign activities by political parties will officially end at midnight on Monday, December 28, 2026, one day before the election.

In addition, OYSIEC revealed that rerun elections, if required in any of the local government areas, will be conducted on Tuesday, January 5, 2027.

Adeniyi urged political parties, security agencies, civil society groups, and other stakeholders to continue preparations in line with the revised schedule. He assured the public that the commission remains committed to conducting a peaceful, transparent, credible, and inclusive election across the state.

The OYSIEC chairman further reiterated the commission’s determination to ensure that the electoral process reflects the will of the people while upholding democratic principles at the grassroots level.

With the new date now confirmed, political parties and candidates are expected to intensify their campaign activities ahead of the December 2026 local government elections, which are considered a significant step in strengthening grassroots governance in Oyo State.