INEC Reschedules 2027 General Elections, Moves Presidential Poll to January 16

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has revised the timetable for the 2027 General Election, shifting the dates for the Presidential, National Assembly, Governorship and State Houses of Assembly polls to comply with the newly enacted Electoral Act, 2026.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by the National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Malam Mohammed Kudu Haruna, the Commission said the adjustment followed the repeal of the Electoral Act, 2022 and the introduction of new statutory timelines under the Electoral Act, 2026.

INEC had earlier scheduled the Presidential and National Assembly Elections for February 20, 2027, and the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly Elections for March 6, 2027. However, under the revised timetable, the Presidential and National Assembly Elections will now hold on Saturday, January 16, 2027.

Similarly, the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly Elections have been moved to Saturday, February 6, 2027.

The Commission said the review was necessary to ensure full compliance with the new legal framework governing pre-election and electoral activities.

According to the revised schedule, political party primaries, including the resolution of disputes arising from them, will commence on April 23, 2026, and end on May 30, 2026.

Campaigns for the Presidential and National Assembly elections will begin on August 19, 2026, while Governorship and State Houses of Assembly campaigns will commence on September 9, 2026. INEC reminded political parties that campaigns must end 24 hours before election day, in line with the law, and warned that it would strictly enforce compliance.

The Commission added that the revised timetable and schedule of activities have been published on its official website and other communication platforms.

Meanwhile, INEC also announced the rescheduling of the Osun State Governorship Election from Saturday, August 8, 2026, to Saturday, August 15, 2026.

It noted that although some activities for the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections had already been conducted, the remaining processes would now strictly align with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026.

INEC maintained that the revised dates are consistent with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), and the Electoral Act, 2026.

The Commission called on political parties, stakeholders and the electorate to cooperate in ensuring peaceful, credible and inclusive elections that reflect the will of the Nigerian people.