The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced a revised timetable for the 2027 general elections, moving the presidential and National Assembly polls to Saturday, January 16, 2027.
In a statement issued on Thursday by the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Malam Mohammed Kudu Haruna, the Commission said the adjustment follows the repeal of the Electoral Act, 2022 and the enactment of the Electoral Act, 2026.
INEC explained that the new law introduced changes to statutory timelines governing pre-election and electoral activities, necessitating a realignment of the election schedule to ensure full compliance with the updated legal framework.
Under the revised timetable, the governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will now hold on Saturday, February 6, 2027.
The Commission also outlined key milestones in the electoral calendar. Party primaries, including the resolution of disputes arising from them, will run from April 23 to May 30, 2026. Campaigns for presidential and National Assembly elections will begin on August 19, 2026, while governorship and State Assembly campaigns will commence on September 9, 2026.
INEC reminded political parties that all campaigns must end 24 hours before election day, stressing that it would strictly enforce compliance with the law.
The Commission said the full revised timetable and schedule of activities are available on its official communication platforms.
In a related development, INEC announced that the Osun State governorship election, previously scheduled for August 8, 2026, has been shifted to Saturday, August 15, 2026.
According to the Commission, while some activities for the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections have already taken place, all remaining processes will now be conducted in line with the Electoral Act, 2026.
INEC emphasized that the revised dates are consistent with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the new Electoral Act.
The Commission called on political parties, civil society groups, security agencies, the media, and voters to work together to ensure peaceful, credible, and inclusive elections that reflect the will of Nigerians.
