The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially revised the timetable for the 2027 general elections, shifting the presidential and National Assembly polls to an earlier date in January. The announcement, made by the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, confirms that the presidential election is now scheduled for Saturday, January 16, 2027.
According to the commission, the governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections have also been adjusted and will now take place on Saturday, 6 February 2027. This significant shift follows the repeal of the Electoral Act 2022 and the subsequent enactment of the Electoral Act 2026, which introduced new statutory timelines for pre-election and electoral activities. The commission noted that the realignment was necessary to ensure full compliance with the updated legal framework signed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The new schedule also outlines critical milestones for political parties. Primaries, including the resolution of any internal disputes, are expected to commence on April 23, 2026, and conclude by May 30, 2026. Official campaigns for the presidential and National Assembly races will begin on August 19, 2026, while the window for governorship and state-level campaigns will open on September 9, 2026.
Observers have noted that the rescheduling also addresses concerns raised by various religious groups regarding the previous dates, which would have coincided with the holy month of Ramadan. By pulling the elections forward into January and early February, the commission aims to ensure a smoother administrative process and broader voter participation. INEC has cautioned all political parties to strictly adhere to the new timelines, emphasizing that it will enforce legal compliance to ensure a transparent and credible 2027 cycle.
