Independent National Electoral Commission Shifts 2027 General Elections to January, Releases New Timetable

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced new dates for the 2027 general elections following the repeal of the Electoral Act, 2022, and the enactment of the Electoral Act, 2026.

In a statement issued on Thursday and signed by the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Malam Mohammed Kudu Haruna, the Commission said the adjustment was necessary to align the electoral schedule with the new legal framework.

INEC had initially fixed Saturday, February 20, 2027, for the Presidential and National Assembly elections, and March 6, 2027, for the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections. However, under the revised timetable, the presidential and National Assembly polls will now hold on Saturday, January 16, 2027, while the governorship and state assembly elections have been rescheduled for Saturday, February 6, 2027.

Party Primaries and Campaign Timeline

According to the updated schedule, political party primaries — including the resolution of disputes — will take place between April 23 and May 30, 2026.

Campaigns for presidential and National Assembly candidates will commence on August 19, 2026, while governorship and state assembly campaigns will begin on September 9, 2026. INEC reminded political parties that all campaigns must end 24 hours before Election Day, warning that strict compliance with the law will be enforced.

The Commission noted that the revised timetable is consistent with the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the Electoral Act, 2026, and has been published on its official platforms.

Osun Governorship Election Adjusted

INEC also announced a minor change to the Osun State governorship election, shifting it from August 8 to August 15, 2026. It clarified that although some processes for the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections had already been completed, all outstanding activities would strictly comply with the provisions of the new Electoral Act.

Background to the Change

The revision comes just 13 days after INEC first announced the earlier dates on February 13, 2026. The initial schedule had drawn criticism from several Nigerians and political figures, who noted that the February date coincided with the Ramadan fasting period observed by Muslim faithful.

The adjustment also follows the signing of the Electoral Act, 2022 (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill 2026 into law by President Bola Tinubu after its passage by the National Assembly.

Describing the elections as a shared responsibility, Haruna called on all stakeholders to work together to ensure peaceful, credible, and inclusive polls that reflect the will of the Nigerian people.

With the revised timetable now in place, political parties, candidates, and voters are expected to realign their preparations as Nigeria heads into another election cycle under the amended electoral framework.