The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced a shift in the 2027 general election timetable, moving the Presidential and National Assembly polls forward to January 16, 2027.
The adjustment, which moves the primary elections from their scheduled date of February 20, was confirmed in a statement on Thursday by Mohammed Haruna, the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee. This change follows the repeal of the 2022 Electoral Act and the recent enactment of the Electoral Act, 2026.
According to the new schedule announced by INEC, the 2027 election cycle will now conclude earlier than previously planned, with the Presidential and National Assembly elections slated for January 16, 2027, while the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will be held on February 6, 2027. Off-cycle elections have also been affected by the calendar review.
The Osun State Governorship Election, originally set for August 8, 2026, has been rescheduled for Saturday, August 15, 2026. The Commission noted that all remaining preparations for the Ekiti and Osun polls must now align strictly with the 2026 statutes.The new timetable dictated an accelerated pace for political organisations, compelling parties to navigate a tight window for their internal processes.
News: Dangote Refinery to Supply 65 Million Litres of Petrol Daily
Primaries and the resolution of disputes were scheduled to run from 23 April 2026 to 30 May 2026. Under the schedule, campaigns for presidential and National Assembly elections were set to commence on 19 August 2026, while governorship and State House of Assembly campaigns were slated to begin on 9 September 2026.
Haruna issued a stern warning to political actors regarding the new timelines, emphasizing that all campaign activities must cease exactly 24 hours before election day. Haruna advised political parties to adhere strictly to these timelines and affirmed that the Commission is prepared to enforce the law to ensure the process remains consistent with the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
INEC maintains that these changes are necessary to ensure the 2027 polls are inclusive and credible. The Commission reminded the public and stakeholders that delivering an election that reflects the “sovereign will of the Nigerian people” is a collective responsibility.
