The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has rescheduled the 2027 Presidential and National Assembly elections to Saturday, January 16, 2027, following the enactment of the Electoral Act, 2026.
The commission also announced that the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will now be held on Saturday, February 6, 2027.
INEC said the adjustment was necessary to ensure full compliance with the new legal framework and to allow for the orderly conduct of key electoral activities, including party primaries and campaigns.
Before the revision, the Presidential and National Assembly elections were slated for February 20, 2027, while governorship and state assembly polls were scheduled for March 6, 2027. The earlier timetable had drawn criticism from sections of the public, particularly Muslim groups, who argued that the dates clashed with the holy month of Ramadan.
In a statement issued on Thursday by the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, the commission said it had reviewed and realigned the schedule to comply with the amended law.
According to INEC, party primaries, including the resolution of disputes arising from them, will commence on April 23, 2026, and conclude on May 30, 2026.
Campaigns for the Presidential and National Assembly elections are set to begin on August 19, 2026, while campaigns for the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will start on September 9, 2026.
The commission emphasized that all campaigns must end 24 hours before Election Day, in line with the law, adding that political parties are expected to strictly adhere to the timelines, with compliance to be enforced by INEC.
INEC further disclosed that the Osun State Governorship election, initially fixed for August 8, 2026, has been shifted to August 15, 2026.
While noting that some activities for the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections have already been conducted, the commission stated that all outstanding processes would proceed strictly in accordance with the Electoral Act, 2026.
INEC maintained that the revised dates are consistent with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), and the Electoral Act, 2026.
“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,” the statement said.
