INEC moves 2027 presidential poll to January 16

Nigeria’s electoral body, the Independent National Electoral Commission, has adjusted the timetable for the 2027 general elections, bringing forward the dates for both the presidential and National Assembly polls by over a month.

In a statement issued on Thursday, February 26, and signed by National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Malam Mohammed Kudu Haruna, the commission announced that the presidential and National Assembly elections will now take place on Saturday, January 16, 2027.

INEC explained that the decision followed the repeal of the Electoral Act 2022 and the coming into force of the Electoral Act 2026, which altered key statutory timelines for pre-election procedures and other electoral activities.

“Following the repeal of the Electoral Act, 2022 and the enactment of the Electoral Act, 2026, which introduced adjustments to statutory timelines governing pre-election and electoral activities, the Commission has reviewed and realigned the Schedule to ensure full compliance with the new legal framework,” the statement read.

Under the previous arrangement, the presidential and National Assembly elections were slated for February 20, 2027, while governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections were scheduled for March 6, 2027. With the new timetable, governorship and state Assembly polls will now be conducted on Saturday, February 6, 2027.

The commission also outlined major activities leading up to the elections. Party primaries, including the resolution of related disputes, are set to begin on April 23, 2026, and conclude on May 30, 2026. Campaigns for presidential and National Assembly candidates will commence on August 19, 2026, while those for governorship and state Assembly seats will start on September 9, 2026. In line with the law, all campaigns must end 24 hours before election day.

“Political parties are strongly advised to adhere strictly to these timelines. The Commission will enforce compliance with the law,” INEC warned.

Separately, the Osun State governorship election has been shifted from August 8, 2026, to August 15, 2026. INEC noted that certain activities concerning the Ekiti and Osun governorship contests had already been carried out under the old timetable but assured that all outstanding processes would now align with the Electoral Act 2026.

“The revised dates are consistent with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and the Electoral Act, 2026,” the statement said.

Calling for collaboration, the commission stressed that credible elections require collective effort.

“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,” INEC concluded.

The updated timetable has been published on the commission’s official website and other communication channels.

The change is seen as significant, as the new January date for the presidential poll ensures it will not coincide with the Ramadan fasting period, an issue earlier raised by the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs over the initial February schedule.