Olushola Omogbehin
The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC has changed the timetable for the 2027 general election by moving the Presidential and National Assembly polls forward to January.
This alteration is the outcome of the repeal of the Electoral Act 2022 and the enactment of the Electoral Act 2026, which has fundamentally altered the statutory timelines for the conduct of elections in the country.
This was disclosed on Thursday in Abuja, where INEC said the new legal framework made it compulsory to review the election dates earlier announced.
According to the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Malam Mohammed Kudu Haruna, INEC “reviewed and realigned the Schedule to ensure full compliance with the new legal framework” introduced by the 2026 Act.
In the new arrangement, the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly Elections have also been slated for Saturday, February 6, 2027 which is a departure from earlier plan of having it in March and presidential ballot for late February .
Off cycle elections are also affected by this new development as Osun State Governorship Election has already been shifted from August 8, 2026, to Saturday, August 15, 2026.
“the remaining activities will now be implemented strictly in accordance with the Electoral Act, 2026.”
This changes will give timeline for Political Party primaries, including the resolution of disputes arising from them, are set to commence on April 23, 2026, and concluded by May 30, 2026.
As well, campaign period has also been spelt out. Governorship and State House of Assembly campaigns will commence on September 9, 2026 while Presidential and National Assembly elections will be August 19, 2026.
However, campaigns must end 24 hours before their respective election days, in line with the provisions of the new law.
The adjustments are in tandem with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, and the Electoral Act, 2026.
