By Ghazali Ibrahim
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has approved and issued a revised timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 General Election, aligning key dates with provisions of the newly enacted Electoral Act, 2026.
In a press release dated February 26, 2026, and signed by the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mallam Mohammed Kudu Haruna, the Commission said the adjustments followed the repeal of the Electoral Act, 2022 and the introduction of a new legal framework governing pre-election and electoral procedures.
INEC had earlier scheduled the Presidential and National Assembly elections for Saturday, February 20, 2027, and the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections for Saturday, March 6, 2027.
However, under the revised timetable, the Presidential and National Assembly elections will now take place on Saturday, January 16, 2027, while the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections have been moved to Saturday, February 6, 2027.
The Commission stated that the changes were necessary to ensure full compliance with the Electoral Act, 2026 and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).
As part of the updated schedule, party primaries, including the resolution of disputes arising from them, will commence on April 23, 2026 and conclude on May 30, 2026. Campaigns for Presidential and National Assembly elections are set to begin on August 19, 2026, while Governorship and State Houses of Assembly campaigns will commence on September 9, 2026.
INEC emphasised that political campaigns must end 24 hours before Election Day, in accordance with the law, and warned that strict adherence to the stipulated timelines would be enforced.
The Commission also announced a change in the date for the Osun State Governorship Election. The poll, initially fixed for Saturday, August 8, 2026, has been rescheduled to Saturday, August 15, 2026.
While noting that some activities relating to the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections had already been conducted, INEC assured that all outstanding processes would be implemented strictly in line with the Electoral Act, 2026.
The electoral body added that the revised timetable is available on its official website and other communication platforms.
Calling for collective responsibility, INEC urged political parties, stakeholders and the electorate to cooperate in ensuring peaceful, credible and inclusive elections that reflect the sovereign will of the Nigerian people.
