INEC has announced a new date for the 2027 Presidential Election.
Newsone Nigeria reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced a fresh timetable for the 2027 general elections, rescheduling the presidential and National Assembly polls to January 16, 2027.
According to the electoral umpire, elections for governorship positions and State Houses of Assembly will now take place on February 6, 2027.
In a statement issued on Thursday, and signed by the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Malam Mohammed Kudu Haruna, the Commission said the adjustment followed the repeal of the Electoral Act, 2022, and the introduction of new statutory timelines.
“The Commission had earlier fixed Saturday, 20th February 2027, for the Presidential and National Assembly Elections and Saturday, March 6, 2027, for the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly Elections.
“Following the repeal of the Electoral Act, 2022 and the enactment of the Electoral Act, 2026… the Commission has reviewed and realigned the Schedule to ensure full compliance with the new legal framework,” Haruna noted.
This newspaper recalls that INEC had slated the presidential and National Assembly elections for February 20, 2027, while governorship and state assembly contests were to be conducted on March 6, 2027.
However, the commission reviewed the dates following the repeal of the Electoral Act, 2022, and the signing into law of the new Electoral Act, 2026.
Gov Polls Now Feb 6
According to the revised timetable, the presidential and National Assembly elections will now be held on Saturday, January 16, 2027, while the governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections are scheduled for Saturday, February 6, 2027.
Party Primaries
The Commission also outlined key milestones leading up to the polls.
Party primaries, including the resolution of disputes arising from them, will run from April 23 to May 30, 2026.
Campaigns for presidential and National Assembly candidates will begin on August 19, 2026, while governorship and state assembly campaigns will commence on September 9, 2026.
“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,” Haruna stated.
INEC added that the revised timetable was consistent with the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the Electoral Act, 2026, and had been published on its official platforms.
Meanwhile, Newsone reports that the shift in dates marks one of the earliest major administrative consequences of the new electoral framework ahead of 2027.
