The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed January 16, 2027, as the new date for the presidential and national assembly elections.
The commission also fixed February 6, 2027, as the date for governorship and state houses of assembly election.
Mohammed Haruna, national commissioner and chairman, information and voter education committee, announced the new election timetable in a statement issued on Thursday.
The electoral body had earlier scheduled February 20, 2027, for the presidential and national assembly elections and March 6, 2027, for the governorship and state houses of assembly elections but was forced to review the schedule following the repeal of the Electoral Act, 2022 and the enactment of the Electoral Act, 2026.
Haruna said the Electoral Act, 2026 introduced adjustments to statutory timelines governing pre-election and electoral activities, adding that the commission reviewed and realigned the earlier released schedule to ensure full compliance with the new legal framework.
“Accordingly, the Commission has resolved 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 statement reads.
The national commissioner said in accordance with the approved schedule of activities, conduct of party primaries, including resolution of disputes arising from primaries, will commence on April 23, 2026, and end on May 30, 2026.
He said presidential and national assembly campaigns will commence on August 19, 2026, while 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,” he said.
“The revised timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general election reflecting these adjustments have been issued and can be accessed on the Commission’s official website and other official communication platforms.”
Haruna also said the Osun state governorship election, earlier fixed for August 8, 2026, has been rescheduled to August 15, 2026.
“The commission notes that some activities in respect of the Ekiti and Osun Governorship Elections have already been conducted. However, the remaining activities will now be implemented strictly in accordance with the Electoral Act, 2026,” he said.
This will be the first time INEC will be conducting the presidential election in January since the return of Democracy in 1999.
The election was held on February 27 in 1999 and April 19 in 2003, while it was conducted on April 21 in 2007.
It was held on April 16 in 2011, March 28 in 2015 and February 23 and 25 in 2019 and 2023, respectively.
