The Independent National Electoral Commission has announced a major adjustment to the timetable for the 2027 general elections, moving the presidential and National Assembly polls to January 16, 2027.
The commission said the decision followed recent changes in the country’s electoral laws after the repeal of the Electoral Act 2022 and the enactment of the Electoral Act 2026, which altered key timelines guiding election activities.
In a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja, National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, said the commission reviewed its earlier schedule to align fully with the provisions of the new law.
According to the revised timetable, governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will now take place on February 6, 2027, marking a shift from the previously proposed February and March election sequence.
INEC also adjusted off-cycle elections, announcing that the Osun State governorship poll earlier fixed for August 8, 2026, has been rescheduled for August 15, 2026, while preparations for both Ekiti and Osun elections would continue in line with the new legal framework.
The commission disclosed that political party primaries and dispute resolution processes will run from April 23 to May 30, 2026.
Campaigns for presidential and National Assembly elections will begin on August 19, 2026, followed by governorship and state assembly campaigns on September 9, 2026.
Haruna urged political parties to strictly comply with the timelines, stressing that campaigns must end 24 hours before election day as required by law.
He called on stakeholders to support peaceful, credible and inclusive elections in line with the Constitution and the Electoral Act 2026.
