The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has formally released a revised schedule for Nigeria’s 2027 General Elections, significantly moving the dates forward. In an official statement signed by National Commissioner and Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, Malam Mohammed Kudu Haruna, the Commission announced the presidential and National Assembly elections will now be held on Saturday, January 16, 2027.
This revision follows the recent repeal of the Electoral Act, 2022, and the enactment of a new Electoral Act in 2026, which mandates updated timelines for all pre-election activities. Consequently, the presidential poll, originally scheduled for February 20, 2027, has been shifted to January. Similarly, governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections have been moved from March 6 to February 6, 2027.
INEC’s detailed calendar stipulates that political party primaries and the resolution of associated disputes will span from April 23 to May 30, 2026. Official campaign periods will commence later that year, with presidential and National Assembly campaigns starting on August 19, and campaigns for governorship and State Assembly seats beginning on September 9, 2026. The Commission confirmed that while preparations for the off-cycle Ekiti and Osun governorship elections are ongoing, they will now align with the new 2026 legal framework.
The decision to revise the timetable addresses earlier concerns from various stakeholders, including religious leaders, that the original dates coincided with the holy month of Ramadan. Critics had argued this could impact voter participation and place physical demands on fasting citizens, a point INEC acknowledged. The Commission maintains that the new schedule is firmly grounded in the Constitution and the updated electoral law, and has reiterated its call for collective stakeholder efforts to ensure peaceful and credible polls.
This electoral overhaul occurs amidst other significant national developments, such as when the South moves against certain policies, or high-profile engagements like the Nigeria House Davos forum. It also parallels a national climate of heightened accountability, reflected in cases like the EFCC arraigns alleged fake investor headlines, and the advocacy work of figures such as the Ebonyi First Lady. The revised electoral process, demanding a substantially increased budget, represents a critical moment for Nigeria’s democratic journey, a narrative that goes beyond words: ’67’ to concrete logistical and legal execution.
