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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed Saturday, January 16, 2027, as the new date for the presidential and National Assembly elections, following the repeal of the Electoral Act, 2022, and the enactment of the Electoral Act, 2026.
In a statement issued on Thursday, INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, explained that the commission had reviewed and realigned its electoral timetable to ensure full compliance with the new legal framework.
Revised Election Dates
According to the commission, the key adjustments are as follows:
– Presidential and National Assembly elections will now hold on Saturday, 16th January 2027.
– Governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections will now hold on Saturday, 6th February 2027.
The commission had earlier fixed Saturday, February 20, 2027, for the presidential and National Assembly elections, and Saturday, March 6, 2027, for the governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections, pursuant to the Electoral Act, 2022.
Party Primaries and Campaign Timelines
Haruna stated that in accordance with the approved Schedule of Activities, the conduct of party primaries, including the resolution of disputes arising from primaries, will commence on April 23, 2026, and end on May 30, 2026.
Campaign timelines have also been adjusted:
– Presidential and National Assembly campaigns will commence on August 19, 2026.
– Governorship and state Houses of 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 said.
Key Dates for Candidate Nomination and Submission
INEC also outlined critical deadlines for political parties:
– Submission of personal particulars of candidates for presidential and National Assembly elections: August 1, 2026; for governorship and state Houses of Assembly: August 29, 2026.
– Last day for replacement of withdrawn candidates for presidential and National Assembly elections: August 29, 2026; for governorship and state Houses of Assembly: September 26, 2026.
– Last day for submission of nomination forms for presidential and National Assembly elections: September 12, 2026; for governorship and state Houses of Assembly: September 26, 2026.
– Publication of the list of nominated candidates for presidential and National Assembly elections: January 14, 2027; for governorship and state Houses of Assembly: February 6, 2027.
– Last day of campaigns for presidential and National Assembly elections: January 14, 2027; for governorship and state Houses of Assembly: February 6, 2027.
Osun Governorship Election Rescheduled
Haruna further disclosed that the Osun State governorship election, earlier fixed for Saturday, August 8, 2026, has been rescheduled to Saturday, August 15, 2026.
He noted that some activities in respect of the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections had already been conducted. “However, the remaining activities will now be implemented strictly in accordance with the Electoral Act, 2026,” he stated.
Legal Compliance and Stakeholder Responsibility
The commission maintained that the revised dates were consistent with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), and the Electoral Act, 2026.
INEC reiterated that the successful conduct of the forthcoming elections was a collective responsibility and called on all stakeholders to cooperate in ensuring peaceful, credible, and inclusive elections that would reflect the sovereign will of the Nigerian people.
The full revised timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general election are available on the commission’s official website and other communication platforms.
