The Independent National Electoral Commission has moved the 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections forward by more than a month, announcing Saturday, January 16, 2027, as the new date for the polls.
This was contained in a statement released on Thursday, February 26, and signed by National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Malam Mohammed Kudu Haruna.
INEC said the revised timetable was necessitated by the enactment of the Electoral Act 2026, which introduced changes to statutory timelines governing pre-election and electoral activities.
“Following the repeal of the Electoral Act, 2022 and the enactment of the Electoral Act, 2026, which introduced adjustments to statutory timelines governing pre-election and electoral activities, the Commission has reviewed and realigned the Schedule to ensure full compliance with the new legal framework,” the statement read.
The commission had initially fixed Saturday, February 20, 2027, for the presidential and National Assembly elections and Saturday, March 6, 2027, for governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections under the now-repealed Electoral Act 2022.
Under the revised timetable, the governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections will now hold on Saturday, February 6, 2027.
INEC outlined key milestones in the new schedule, stating that party primaries, including the resolution of disputes arising from them, will commence on April 23, 2026, and end on May 30, 2026.
Presidential and National Assembly campaigns will kick off on August 19, 2026, while governorship and state Houses of Assembly campaigns will begin on September 9, 2026.
As provided by law, all campaigns must end 24 hours before election day.
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“Political parties are strongly advised to adhere strictly to these timelines. The Commission will enforce compliance with the law,” INEC warned.
In a separate adjustment, the commission rescheduled the Osun State governorship election from Saturday, August 8, 2026, to Saturday, August 15, 2026.
INEC noted that some activities related to the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections had already been conducted under the previous timetable but said all remaining activities would now be implemented in accordance with the Electoral Act 2026.
“The revised dates are consistent with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and the Electoral Act, 2026,” the statement said.
The commission called on all stakeholders to cooperate in ensuring peaceful, credible, and inclusive elections.
“The successful conduct of the forthcoming elections remains a collective responsibility. The Commission calls on all stakeholders to cooperate in ensuring peaceful, credible and inclusive elections that reflect the sovereign will of the Nigerian people,” INEC concluded.
The revised timetable is available on the commission’s official website and communication platforms.
The shift in election dates is significant, as it means the presidential election will now fall outside the Ramadan fasting period, addressing concerns raised by the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, which had complained about the original February date coinciding with the Muslim holy month.