The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that the presidential and National Assembly elections will now hold on Saturday, January 16, 2027, while the governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections will take place on Saturday, February 6, 2027.
INEC in a revised timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general elections,signed by the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Malam Mohammed Kudu Haruna, the Commission explained that the adjustment followed the repeal of the Electoral Act, 2022, and the introduction of new statutory timelines.
The Commission had earlier fixed Saturday, 20th February 2027, for the Presidential and National Assembly Elections and Saturday, March 6, 2027, for the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly Elections.
“Following the repeal of the Electoral Act, 2022 and the enactment of the Electoral Act, 2026… the Commission has reviewed and realigned the Schedule to ensure full compliance with the new legal framework,” Haruna noted.
The Commission consequently announced further adjustments in the Party Primaries including the resolution of disputes arising from them, which will now run from April 23 to May 30, 2026.
According to the new development, Campaigns for presidential and National Assembly candidates will begin on August 19, 2026, while governorship and state assembly campaigns will commence on September 9, 2026.
The Commission also adjusted the Osun State governorship election, from August 8 to August 15, 2026.
Political Analysts say the current adjustment may not be unconnected to the criticism by many Nigerians, including politicians, who pointed out that the former dates coincided with the periods Lent and Ramadan for both Christian and Muslim faithful.
