INEC shifts 2027 Presidential Election to Jan. 16, guber Feb. 6 under New Electoral Act

By Johnson Arua

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has revised the timetable for the 2027 general elections, moving the Presidential and National Assembly polls to January 16, 2027.

The adjustment follows the repeal of the Electoral Act 2022 and the enactment of the Electoral Act 2026, which introduced new statutory timelines for elections in Nigeria.

In a statement issued Thursday night in Abuja, the Commission said the new legal framework necessitated a comprehensive review of previously announced election dates.

INEC noted that the changes were made to ensure full compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026.

National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Malam Mohammed Kudu Haruna, said the Commission had “reviewed and realigned the Schedule to ensure full compliance with the new legal framework” introduced by the new law.

Under the revised timetable, Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will now be held on February 6, 2027.

The new dates mark a significant shift from the earlier schedule, which had fixed the presidential election for late February and state elections for March 2027.

The overhaul has also affected off-cycle polls. INEC announced that the Osun State Governorship Election, earlier scheduled for August 8, 2026, will now hold on August 15, 2026.

The Commission explained that while some preparatory activities for the Ekiti and Osun elections had already been completed, all remaining processes would be conducted strictly in line with the Electoral Act 2026.

INEC further disclosed that political party primaries, including the resolution of disputes, will commence on April 23, 2026, and end on May 30, 2026. Campaigns for Presidential and National Assembly elections will begin on August 19, 2026, while those for Governorship and State Assemblies will start on September 9, 2026.

Haruna urged political parties and stakeholders to strictly adhere to the new timelines, stressing that campaigns must end 24 hours before election day as required by law.

The Commission reaffirmed that the revised schedule is consistent with the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and called for collective efforts to ensure peaceful, credible and inclusive elections in 2027.