Nigeria’s 2027 general election will begin earlier than previously scheduled, with the presidential and National Assembly elections now fixed for January 16.
The revised timetable, released last night by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), replaces the earlier March 6 date and signals a sweeping realignment of the electoral calendar under the newly enacted Electoral Act, 2026.
Under the updated schedule, governorship and House of Assembly elections will follow on February 6, while the Osun governorship election has been shifted by one week — from August 8 to August 15. No reason was given for the adjustment.
The recalibration comes on the heels of the repeal of the Electoral Act, 2022, and the coming into force of the Electoral Act, 2026, which received presidential assent on February 19.
INEC had earlier fixed March 6 for the presidential and governorship/House of Assembly elections. However, the dates drew criticism for coinciding with Ramadan, placing the commission in a difficult position under the subsisting law at the time.
Compounding the challenge was an amendment process by the National Assembly, which reduced the mandatory notification period for elections from 360 days to 300 days.
With the new law now operational, the commission moved swiftly to align its timetable with the revised statutory framework.
In a statement, Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee, Mallam Mohammed Kudu Haruna, said:
“Following the repeal of the Electoral Act, 2022 and the enactment of the Electoral Act, 2026, which introduced adjustments to statutory timelines governing pre-election and electoral activities, the Commission has reviewed and realigned the Schedule to ensure full compliance with the new legal framework.”
Haruna outlined what he described as “key milestones in the timetable.”
According to him: “In accordance with the approved Schedule of Activities, conduct of party primaries, including resolution of disputes arising from primaries, will commence on 23rd April 2026 and end on 30th May 2026.
“Presidential and National Assembly campaigns will commence on 19th August 2026.
“Governorship and state Houses of Assembly campaigns will commence on 9th September 2026.”
He added: “As provided by law, campaigns shall end 24 hours before election day.
“Political parties are strongly advised to adhere strictly to these timelines. The Commission will enforce compliance with the law.”
The full timetable, he said, is available on INEC’s official website and other communication platforms.
Haruna also addressed concerns about the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections, noting that some activities had already been conducted before the enactment of the new law.
He explained: “The commission notes that some activities in respect of the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections have already been conducted.
“However, the remaining activities will now be implemented strictly in accordance with the Electoral Act, 2026.
“The revised dates are consistent with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and the Electoral Act, 2026.”
Reaffirming INEC’s commitment to credible polls, the national commissioner urged stakeholders to view the electoral process as a shared obligation.
He stressed: “The successful conduct of the forthcoming elections remains a collective responsibility.
“The commission calls on all stakeholders to cooperate in ensuring peaceful, credible and inclusive elections that reflect the sovereign will of the Nigerian people.”
