The Independent National Electoral Commission setting February 20, 2027 as the date for the presidential election, ending months of speculation and unofficial projections about the poll calendar.
The announcement was made in Abuja by the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, during a press conference at which the Commission released the official Notice of Election alongside the full timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 polls. Amupitan said the move marked a critical constitutional milestone and formally triggered the electoral process nationwide.
He explained that the dates were carefully fixed in line with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which stipulate that elections must be held not earlier than 150 days and not later than 30 days before the expiration of the tenure of elected officials. Under the Constitution, the tenure of the President, Vice President, Governors and Deputy Governors—except in eight off-cycle states—will lapse on May 28, 2027, while the National and State Assemblies will be dissolved on June 8 of the same year. Within that legal window, INEC fixed February 20, 2027, for the presidential and National Assembly elections, while governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will hold on March 6, 2027.
Amupitan said the Commission was acting in strict compliance with Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022, which requires the publication of a Notice of Election not later than 360 days before the appointed date. He noted that the 2027 General Elections would cover elections into the offices of President and Vice President, Governors and Deputy Governors—excluding Anambra, Bayelsa, Edo, Ekiti, Imo, Kogi, Ondo and Osun States—as well as seats in the Senate, House of Representatives and State Houses of Assembly.
He added that the detailed timetable had been uploaded to INEC’s website and circulated to all registered political parties and key stakeholders, while all Resident Electoral Commissioners, including that of the Federal Capital Territory, had been directed to publish the Notice of Election in every constituency where elections would be held. The chairman stressed that the chosen dates reflected the Commission’s determination to deliver a transparent, credible and legally compliant electoral process.
The INEC boss also used the occasion to warn political parties against violating the approved schedule, particularly in the conduct of party primaries, submission of nomination forms and campaign activities. He said the Commission would strictly enforce the law and would not hesitate to sanction non-compliance, insisting that adherence to timelines was essential for the success of the elections.
Addressing the ongoing amendment of the Electoral Act at the National Assembly, Amupitan said INEC was closely monitoring developments and recognised the importance of reforms that could strengthen the electoral framework. However, he emphasised that until any amendment was duly passed and signed into law, the Commission remained bound by the existing provisions of the Electoral Act and must act within them to avoid uncertainty or logistical setbacks.
He reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to deepening the deployment of technology to enhance transparency, continuously cleaning and updating the national voter register, strengthening collaboration with security agencies to ensure peaceful polls, and expanding voter education and stakeholder engagement to promote informed participation.
Amupitan reiterated the Commission’s independence, stressing that INEC would be guided solely by the Constitution, the Electoral Act and its own regulations and guidelines. He called on political parties to conduct peaceful and credible primaries, shun violence and inflammatory rhetoric, and uphold internal democracy, while appealing to candidates, supporters and voters to maintain peace throughout the electoral cycle.
He reminded Nigerians that the success of the 2027 General Elections would depend on collective responsibility, urging government institutions, security agencies, the media, civil society organisations and citizens to play their respective roles.
With the formal release of the Notice of Election, he assured Nigerians that INEC was fully prepared and determined to deliver elections that truly reflect the sovereign will of the people.
