The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially overhauled the timetable for Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, moving the Presidential and National Assembly polls forward to Saturday, January 16, 2027. The commission also announced that the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections have been rescheduled for Saturday, February 6, 2027.
The significant adjustment, announced late Thursday by National Commissioner Malam Mohammed Kudu Haruna, follows the recent repeal of the Electoral Act 2022 and the enactment of the Electoral Act 2026. This new legal framework, signed into law by President Bola Tinubu earlier this week, fundamentally altered the statutory timelines for electoral activities. Beyond legal compliance, the shift also addresses concerns raised by various stakeholders regarding a potential clash with the 2027 Ramadan period, which influenced the National Assembly’s decision to reduce the mandatory notice period for elections.
Under the revised “Schedule of Activities,” the political calendar has been drastically accelerated:
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Notice of Election: Issued on February 13, 2026.
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Party Primaries: Scheduled to run from April 23 to May 30, 2026.
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Presidential Campaigns: Formally kick off on August 19, 2026.
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Governorship Campaigns: Set to begin on September 9, 2026.
In addition to the general election changes, INEC adjusted the date for the off-cycle Osun State Governorship Election, moving it from August 8 to August 15, 2026. The commission emphasized that all political parties must adhere strictly to the new timelines, warning that the revised Act provides less flexibility for delays in candidate nominations.
This early start to the electoral cycle underscores the high stakes of the 2027 transition. With the “Notice of Election” already published, the race for succession and political consolidation is now legally in full swing, nearly a year earlier than many observers had initially anticipated.
