INEC Revises 2027 General Election Timetable, Fixes Presidential Poll for January 16

Kingsley Ohens reporting For Urbanscopnews

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has approved and released a revised timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 General Election, bringing forward the dates for the Presidential, National Assembly, Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections in compliance with the newly enacted Electoral Act, 2026.

In a press statement issued from its headquarters in Maitama, Abuja, the Commission 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 have been rescheduled for Saturday, February 6, 2027. The earlier dates had been fixed for February 20, 2027, and March 6, 2027, respectively.

INEC explained that the adjustment became necessary following the repeal of the Electoral Act, 2022, and the enactment of the Electoral Act, 2026, which introduced changes to statutory timelines governing pre-election procedures and other electoral activities. According to the Commission, the review ensures full alignment with the new legal framework and reinforces its commitment to strict adherence to the law.

Under the revised schedule, political 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 will begin on August 19, 2026, while campaigns for the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will commence on September 9, 2026. In line with statutory provisions, all campaigns must end 24 hours before election day.

The Commission urged political parties and stakeholders to comply strictly with the approved timelines, stressing that it will enforce all provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026. It reiterated that adherence to the legal framework is critical to safeguarding the integrity and credibility of the electoral process.

INEC also announced a slight adjustment to the Osun State Governorship Election, which has been moved from Saturday, August 8, 2026, to Saturday, August 15, 2026. While noting that some activities concerning the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections have already been conducted, the Commission assured that all outstanding processes will proceed strictly in accordance with the Electoral Act, 2026.

Describing the forthcoming elections as a collective national responsibility, INEC called on political parties, security agencies, civil society organisations, the media and the electorate to cooperate in ensuring peaceful, credible and inclusive polls that reflect the sovereign will of the Nigerian people. The statement was signed by Mallam Mohammed Kudu Haruna, National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, and dated February 26, 2026.