Nigeria’s electoral commission, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has rescheduled the 2027 general elections, moving the presidential and National Assembly polls to 16 January 2027, while governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections will now hold on 6 February 2027.
The adjustment follows the repeal of the Electoral Act, 2022, and the enactment of the Electoral Act, 2026, which introduced revised statutory timelines for pre-election and electoral activities.
In a statement issued by INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, the commission said the new timetable aligns with the legal requirements of the Electoral Act, 2026.
The presidential and National Assembly elections were previously scheduled for 20 February 2027, while governorship and state Assembly elections were fixed for 6 March 2027 under the now-repealed 2022 law.
INEC also acknowledged concerns raised by Muslim groups that the earlier dates would overlap with the fasting month of Ramadan, potentially affecting voter participation. The revised dates ensure the elections do not coincide with religious observance.
The commission further released an updated schedule of activities for political parties. According to the new timetable, party primaries will be conducted between 23 April and 30 May 2026, including the resolution of disputes arising from the exercises.
Campaigns for presidential and National Assembly elections will commence on 19 August 2026, while governorship and state Assembly campaigns will begin on 9 September 2026. INEC reiterated that all political campaigns must end 24 hours before election day, in compliance with the law.
“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,” the statement read.
Legislative Changes and Electoral Timelines
The rescheduling of the 2027 general elections stems primarily from recent amendments to Nigeria’s electoral legal framework. The National Assembly repealed the Electoral Act, 2022, and replaced it with the Electoral Act, 2026, which recalibrated statutory deadlines for primaries, submission of candidates’ lists, campaigns, and election conduct.
Under Nigerian electoral law, INEC is bound by strict constitutional and statutory timelines, particularly Section 132 and Section 178 of the Constitution, which regulate the timing of presidential and gubernatorial elections. Any alteration in the electoral statute necessarily compels a corresponding adjustment in the commission’s operational calendar.
Religious Concerns and Voter Participation
Beyond the legal trigger, religious stakeholders—particularly Muslim organisations—had raised concerns that the earlier February and March 2027 dates could overlap with Ramadan, the Islamic fasting month. Given Nigeria’s significant Muslim population, stakeholders argued that prolonged fasting could depress voter turnout, affect logistics, and create avoidable tension at polling units.
INEC has historically attempted to balance electoral administration with Nigeria’s religious and socio-cultural sensitivities, especially in a plural society where elections require maximum participation to maintain legitimacy.
Political Implications
The revised dates effectively extend the campaign season while advancing the actual voting dates by over a month. This adjustment may reshape party strategy, coalition-building timelines, and litigation windows arising from party primaries.
The earlier election dates could also alter political calculations within major parties, particularly regarding internal dispute resolution and candidate substitution windows under the new Electoral Act, 2026.
