From David Onuoja, Abuja
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has made a u-turn as it has revised the timetable for the 2027 General Election, following the enactment of the Electoral Act, 2026.
According to the revised schedule, the Presidential and National Assembly Elections will now hold on Saturday, 16th January 2027, while the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly Elections will take place on Saturday, 6th February 2027 respectfully.
The Commission had earlier fixed Saturday, 20th February 2027 for the Presidential and National Assembly Elections and Saturday, 6th March 2027 for the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly Elections, pursuant to the Electoral Act, 2022. However, with the new Electoral Act, 2026, adjustments were made to statutory timelines governing pre-election and electoral activities, necessitating the revision of the schedule.
Key milestones in the revised timetable include the conduct of Party Primaries, which will commence on 23rd April 2026 and end on 30th May 2026. Presidential and National Assembly campaigns will commence on 19th August 2026, while Governorship and State Houses of Assembly campaigns will commence on 9th September 2026.
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Campaigns are expected to end 24 hours before Election Day, and political parties have been advised to adhere strictly to these timelines. The Commission has warned that it will enforce compliance with the law.
In addition to the revised timetable, INEC has also rescheduled the Osun State Governorship Election, earlier fixed for Saturday, 8th August 2026, to Saturday, 15th August 2026. Some activities in respect of the Ekiti and Osun Governorship Elections have already been conducted, but the remaining activities will now be implemented strictly in accordance with the Electoral Act, 2026.
This revised dates are consistent with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and the Electoral Act, 2026. The Commission has therefore, called on all stakeholders to cooperate in ensuring peaceful, credible, and inclusive elections that reflect the sovereign will of the Nigerian people.
The Revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2027 General Election can be accessed on the Commission’s official website and other official communication platforms, it said.
It added that, the successful conduct of the forthcoming elections remains a collective responsibility, and INEC is counting on the support of all stakeholders to achieve this goal.
