The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially released a revised timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general elections, moving the date of the presidential and National Assembly polls forward to Saturday, 16 January 2027.
The adjustment comes after the repeal of the Electoral Act, 2022 and the enactment of the Electoral Act, 2026, which introduced new statutory timelines governing electoral activities. According to the electoral body, the previous election dates announced under the old law can no longer stand, necessitating a realignment of the entire election calendar.
In a statement signed by Mohammed Kudu Haruna, National Commissioner and Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee, the commission said the new dates were published in compliance with the amended legal framework and are consistent with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and the Electoral Act, 2026.
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Under the revised timetable:
- Presidential and National Assembly elections are now scheduled for 16 January 2027.
- Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will take place on 6 February 2027.
INEC also outlined key milestones leading up to the polls:
- Party primaries, including the resolution of related disputes, will be held from 23 April to 30 May 2026.
- Campaigns for presidential and National Assembly candidates are set to begin on 19 August 2026.
- Gubernatorial and State Assembly campaigns will start on 9 September 2026.
The statement emphasised that all campaigns must end 24 hours before Election Day, and political parties are urged to adhere strictly to the timelines, with the commission pledging enforcement of compliance.
In addition, INEC announced a minor adjustment to the Osun State governorship election, moving it from 8 August to 15 August 2026, and noted that remaining activities for both Osun and Ekiti polls will be implemented under the new Electoral Act.
INEC described the success of the upcoming elections as a collective responsibility, calling on stakeholders to work together to ensure peaceful, credible, and inclusive polls that reflect the sovereign will of Nigerians.
