..Presidential poll to hold January 16 in line with new Electoral Act
The Independent National Electoral Commission has officially unveiled the timetable for the 2027 general elections, setting the stage for a season of political activity that will kick off with party primaries in April 2026.
In a statement issued Thursday in Abuja, the Commission announced that it has approved and issued a Revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2027 General Election, following the repeal of the Electoral Act, 2022 and the enactment of a new legal framework—the Electoral Act, 2026.
The new law introduced adjustments to statutory timelines governing pre-election and electoral activities, forcing the Commission to go back to the drawing board and realign its entire schedule.
According to the new timetable, political parties will have a window of just over five weeks to conduct their primaries and resolve any disputes arising from them. The exercise is set to commence on 23rd April 2026 and will run until 30th May 2026.
This period is critical. It is when parties will decide who carries their flags into the major contests—from the presidency down to state assembly seats. It is also historically a period of intense internal party wrangling, court cases, and occasional defections.
“By compressing the primaries into a defined window, the Commission is essentially telling parties: get your house in order quickly,” a political analyst based in Abuja commented. “The days of endless litigation dragging on for months are numbered under this new timeline.”
Perhaps the most significant change for the average voter is the date of the presidential election. Originally fixed for 20th February 2027, the presidential and national assembly elections will now hold on Saturday, 16th January 2027.
The governorship and state houses of assembly elections have also been moved forward—from 6th March to Saturday, 6th February 2027.
This means the entire election cycle will conclude earlier than previously anticipated, with all votes cast by early February rather than late March.
The timetable also sets clear boundaries for when voters will start seeing and hearing from candidates.
Presidential and national assembly campaigns will officially commence on 19th August 2026, while governorship and state assembly campaigns will kick off three weeks later on 9th September 2026.
As provided by law, all campaigns must end 24 hours before polling day. The Commission has issued a stern warning to political parties to adhere strictly to these timelines.
“We will enforce compliance with the law,” the Commission stated firmly in its release.
In a separate but related decision, INEC announced that the Osun State Governorship Election, earlier fixed for Saturday, 8th August 2026, has been rescheduled to Saturday, 15th August 2026.
The Commission 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.
“The revised dates are consistent with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and the Electoral Act, 2026,” the statement added.
Malam Mohammed Kudu Haruna, National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, signed off on the statement, emphasizing that the successful conduct of the forthcoming elections remains a collective responsibility.
“The Commission calls on all stakeholders to cooperate in ensuring peaceful, credible and inclusive elections that reflect the sovereign will of the Nigerian people,” Haruna said.
He also directed the public to the Commission’s official website and other communication platforms where the full Revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities can be accessed.
What This Means for Politicians and Voters
For political parties, the clock is now ticking. With primaries set to begin in just over a year, party leaders must begin internal consultations, screen aspirants, and prepare for what could be intensely contested nomination battles.
For voters, the message is simpler: the election cycle is moving faster than expected. By this time next year, campaigns will be in full swing. And by January 2027—just over 18 months from now—Nigerians will know who their next president is.
The Commission has made it clear that the timelines are not mere suggestions. Under the new Electoral Act, there are consequences for non-compliance.
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