January 16, 2027 is new date for Presidential, National Assembly elections - INEC

---

---

By Madu Obi

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has readjusted the date of the next Presidential and National Assembly polls to January 16, 2027.

Under the revised timetable, the governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections were also rescheduled to take place on Saturday, February 6, 2027.

The dates represent a notable departure from the Commission’s earlier plan, which had originally fixed the presidential ballot for late February and the state-level elections for March, 2027.

.

It was gathered that the adjustment was a direct consequence of the repeal of the Electoral Act 2022 and the subsequent enactment of the Electoral Act 2026, which has altered the time governing Nigerian elections.

A statement from the Commission explained that the new legal framework necessitated a complete review of the previously announced dates for the elections

National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee of the Commission, Malam Mohammed Kudu Haruna, said the schedule was reviewed and realigned to ensure full compliance with the new legal framework introduced by the 2026 Act.

The Commission also said that the shift in the general election calendar has also impacted off-cycle polls, adding that the Osun State governorship election, which was initially slated for August 8, 2026, has been moved to Saturday, August 15, 2026.

The Commission noted that while some activities have already been concluded for the Ekiti and Osun polls, the remaining ones will be implemented strictly in accordance with the Electoral Act, 2026.

"Beyond the election days themselves, the new timetable sets an accelerated pace for political parties. The conduct of party primaries, including the resolution of any arising disputes, is scheduled to begin on April 23, 2026, and must be concluded by May 30, 2026.

The window for official campaigning is also clearly defined, with Presidential and National Assembly campaigns set to kick off on August 19, 2026, followed by Governorship and State House of Assembly campaigns on September 9, 2026", the INEC National Commissioner said.

Haruna emphasized the necessity of discipline among political actors during this transition, warning that “political parties are strongly advised to adhere strictly to these timelines”.

"These drastic changes remain consistent with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and the Electoral Act, 2026.”

"The Commission wants to remind the public that the success of the 2027 polls is a shared burden and calls on all stakeholders to cooperate in ensuring peaceful, credible and inclusive elections that reflect the sovereign will of the Nigerian people,” he stated.