The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released a revised timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general elections.
According to the revised timetable, the dates for the presidential and governorship polls have now been fixed for January 16, 2027.
The Governorship and State Houses of Assembly Elections have also been rescheduled to take place on Saturday, February 6, 2027.
The move is in compliance with the Electoral Act 2026, recently signed into law by President Bola Tinubu following its passage by the National Assembly.
In a statement released Thursday night in Abuja, and signed by the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, INEC explained that the new legal framework necessitated a complete review of the previously announced dates.
Haruna stated that the agency has now “reviewed and realigned the Schedule to ensure full compliance with the new legal framework” introduced by the 2026 Act.
The shift in the general election calendar has also impacted off-cycle polls.
The Commission confirmed that the Osun State Governorship Election, which was initially slated for August 8, 2026, has been moved to Saturday, August 15, 2026.
Regarding the ongoing preparations for the Ekiti and Osun polls, the Commission noted that while some activities have already been concluded, “the remaining activities will now be implemented strictly in accordance with the Electoral Act, 2026.”
The new timetable also affects the activities of political parties in preparation for the main elections.
Based on the new timetable and schedule, the conduct of party primaries, including the resolution of any arising disputes, is scheduled to begin on April 23, 2026, and must be concluded by May 30, 2026.
The window for official campaigning is also clearly defined, with Presidential and National Assembly campaigns set to kick off on August 19, 2026, followed by Governorship and State House of Assembly campaigns on September 9, 2026.
Haruna urged political parties to strictly adhere to the new timetable.
“Political parties are strongly advised to adhere strictly to these timelines,” he said, adding that “the Commission will enforce compliance with the law.”
He clarified that all campaigns must end exactly 24 hours before their respective election days, as mandated by the new statutes.
According to the Commission, the changes remain “consistent with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and the Electoral Act, 2026.”
INEC also appealed to all Nigerians and stakeholders to join hands with the Commission in ensuring “peaceful, credible and inclusive elections that reflect the sovereign will of the Nigerian people.