The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has revised the 2027 general election schedule, moving the Presidential and National Assembly polls to January 16, 2027.
This shift follows the repeal of the 2022 Electoral Act and the introduction of the Electoral Act 2026, which modified the legal timelines for Nigerian elections.
In a statement issued late Thursday obtained by Persecondnews, National Commissioner Malam Mohammed Kudu Haruna explained that the new law required a realignment of the previous schedule.
Under this updated roadmap, the Governorship and State Assembly elections will now take place on February 6, 2027, moving them up from the originally planned dates in late February and March.
The shift in the general election calendar has also impacted off-cycle polls.
The Commission confirmed that the Osun State Governorship Election, which was initially slated for August 8, 2026, has been moved to Saturday, August 15, 2026.
Regarding the ongoing preparations for the Ekiti and Osun polls, the Commission noted that while some activities have already been concluded, “the remaining activities will now be implemented strictly in accordance with the Electoral Act, 2026.”
Beyond the election days themselves, the new timetable sets an accelerated pace for political parties.
The conduct of party primaries, including the resolution of any arising disputes, is scheduled to begin on April 23, 2026, and must be concluded by May 30, 2026.
The window for official campaigning is also clearly defined, with Presidential and National Assembly campaigns set to kick off on August 19, 2026, followed by Governorship and State House of Assembly campaigns on September 9, 2026.
Haruna emphasised the necessity of discipline among political actors during this transition, warning that “political parties are strongly advised to adhere strictly to these timelines” and affirming that “the Commission will enforce compliance with the law.”
He clarified that all campaigns must end exactly 24 hours before their respective election days, as mandated by the new statutes.
According to the Commission, these drastic changes remain “consistent with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and the Electoral Act, 2026.”
The Commission reminded the public that the success of the 2027 polls is a shared burden, calling on all stakeholders to “cooperate in ensuring peaceful, credible and inclusive elections that reflect the sovereign will of the Nigerian people.”
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