The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has revised the timetable for the 2027 General Election, moving the Presidential and National Assembly polls to January, while the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will now hold in February.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, said the commission approved a Revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities following changes in the electoral law.
Under the new schedule, Presidential and National Assembly elections will hold on Saturday, January 16, 2027, while Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will take place on Saturday, February 6, 2027.
INEC explained that the repeal of the Electoral Act, 2022 and the enactment of the Electoral Act, 2026 necessitated the adjustment. The commission said the new law introduced changes to statutory timelines governing pre-election and electoral activities, requiring a realignment of the schedule to ensure full compliance.
Party primaries, including the resolution of disputes, 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 campaigns must end 24 hours before election day and warned that it would strictly enforce compliance with the law.
The commission also announced a slight adjustment to the Osun State governorship election. The poll, earlier fixed for August 8, 2026, has been rescheduled to August 15, 2026.
INEC noted that while some activities for the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections have already taken place, the remaining processes will strictly align with the Electoral Act, 2026 and the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
The commission stated that the successful conduct of the forthcoming elections remains a collective responsibility and called on stakeholders to cooperate in ensuring peaceful, credible and inclusive elections that reflect the sovereign will of the Nigerian people.