INEC Revises 2027 Election Dates, Presidential Election Now January 16

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has revised its 2027 election timetable in accordance with the recently enacted Electoral Act, 2026, with the Presidential Elections now set to hold on the 16th of January, 2027, while Gubernatorial and National Assembly Elections will take place on February 20th, 2027. This was revealed in a statement issued yesterday by the National Commissioner, Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Malam Mohammed Kudu Haruna. 

Other adjustments to the statutory pre-election and election timelines include commencement of party primaries, including dispute resolution of said primaries, on April 23rd, 2026, to conclude on May 30th, 2026. Presidential campaigns are to begin on August 19, 2026, while Gubernatorial and State House of Assembly campaigns are to begin on September 9, 2026. 

Also, the Osun State Governorship election will now be held on August 15th, 2026, a week later than the initial schedule. Per the statement, electoral activities which had already been conducted in Osun and Ekiti states are unaffected, with forthcoming activities set to follow the timetable. 

In an announcement the day before, INEC Chairman Prof. Jaash O Amupitan explained that alongside the election dates, there will be other procedural adjustments for adequate alignment with the new Electoral Act. 

The adjustments for next year’s elections are in line with Clause 28 of the Electoral Act, 2026, as amended, which states that INEC shall publish a notice in each state of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), not later than 300 days before the date fixed for the conduct of an election. It’s also a response to complaints by Muslim faithful about the potential clash with the Ramadan fast, with some alleging INEC fixed the initial date deliberately. 

In a Monday, 17th February 2026 Senate Sitting, Chairman of the Senate Committee on INEC and Electoral Matters, Simon Bako Lalong, debunked the notions of a deliberate clash. He  referred to the existence of provisions for adjustments. 

As such, the previous dates issued earlier on February 13 (February 20 – Presidential, March 6 – Gubernatorial and House of Assembly), had to be rescinded. 

The window for the second phase of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise remains the same, and will close on April 17, 2026. Also, the rule on political parties concluding all campaigns at least 24 hours before elections stands. Political stakeholders, and citizens were enjoined to work together towards a peaceful, free, and fair election. 

This adjustment arrives in the midst of contentions about the quick adoption of the amended Electoral Act. Recall that there have been protests, both within the House and by members of the public, about specific clauses, including the contentious Clause 60 which addresses electronic transmission of results. It remains to be seen what proceeds from the adjustment as politicking heats up across the country.