OYSIEC Slates Oyo Local Government Elections for January 16, 2027
The Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission has announced that local government elections across the state will take place on January 16, 2027.
The Commission has also pledged to ensure that the exercise is conducted in a manner that is open, credible and peaceful.
The election date was approved during the first official meeting between the newly constituted leadership of the commission and its management team.
The meeting, held at the commission’s headquarters in Agodi, Ibadan, focused on strategies for fulfilling OYSIEC’s constitutional responsibility of organizing acceptable council polls.
Chairman of the commission, Babatunde Adeniyi, who presided over the meeting, said arrangements were already being put in place to guarantee a smooth electoral process.
He explained that voting would be held simultaneously in all 33 local government areas of the state.
According to him, polling activities are expected to run from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on election day in all designated polling units.
Adeniyi further disclosed that political campaigns would officially close at midnight on Friday, January 15, 2027. He added that in situations where elections are declared inconclusive, supplementary polls would be organized on Saturday, January 23, 2027.
The commission clarified the legal basis for its timetable in an official statement issued to journalists.
The statement read, “By virtue of the Local Government Law of Oyo State of Nigeria (as amended), the tenure of the chairmen and councillors in the 33 local government councils in Oyo State will expire on May 23, 2027.
“The Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission is empowered by Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022 (as amended), to issue notice for the election not later than 360 days before the date of the election.
“Pursuant to the provisions of Section 28 of the Electoral Act, 2022 (as amended), Section 5(a), and Paragraph (1) of Schedule II of the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission Law, Cap 154, Laws of Oyo State, Nigeria, 2000, notice is hereby given that the local government council elections shall be conducted in all the polling units in the 33 local government councils in Oyo State on Saturday, January 16, 2027, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.”
The electoral body also appealed for cooperation from political parties, candidates, security agencies and the general public to help achieve a successful exercise. It emphasized that broad stakeholder support would be essential in delivering an election that meets democratic standards.
With the official notice now issued, political activities in the state are expected to intensify as parties begin preparations for the forthcoming polls.
