Abuja, Nigeria – The Independent National Electoral Commission, Nigeria’s national election management body, has announced a significant adjustment to the schedule for the country’s 2027 general elections following the introduction of a new electoral law.
The decision affects both federal and state level elections in Africa’s most populous country. Nigeria’s general elections determine who becomes president, who occupies seats in the National Assembly, and who serves as state governors and members of state legislatures across the country’s 36 states.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Malam Mohammed Kudu Haruna, confirmed that the commission had approved a Revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities.
The presidential and National Assembly elections will now be conducted on Saturday, January 16, 2027. The governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections have been moved to Saturday, February 6, 2027.
Before this revision, the elections had been scheduled under the Electoral Act, 2022 for Saturday, February 20, 2027 and Saturday, March 6, 2027 respectively.
The commission explained that the change followed the repeal of the Electoral Act, 2022 and the enactment of the Electoral Act, 2026, which altered statutory timelines for pre-election and election activities.
“Following the repeal of the Electoral Act, 2022 and the enactment of the Electoral Act, 2026, which introduced adjustments to statutory timelines governing pre-election and electoral activities, the Commission has reviewed and realigned the Schedule to ensure full compliance with the new legal framework,” the statement read.
As part of the updated schedule, political party primaries, including the resolution of disputes, will run from Thursday, April 23, 2026 to Saturday, May 30, 2026.
Campaigns for presidential and National Assembly positions will begin on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, while campaigns for governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will commence on Wednesday, September 9, 2026.
“Presidential and National Assembly campaigns will commence on 19th August 2026, Governorship and State Houses of Assembly campaigns will commence on 9th September 2026,” INEC stated.
The electoral body also reminded political parties that campaigns must end 24 hours before election day and warned that it would strictly enforce compliance.
“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,” the statement stated.
In addition, the commission adjusted the date for the Osun State governorship election in south western Nigeria. The poll, previously fixed for Saturday, August 8, 2026, will now take place on Saturday, August 15, 2026.
“In addition, the Osun State Governorship Election, earlier fixed for Saturday, 8th August 2026, has been rescheduled to Saturday, 15th August 2026,” the statement added.
The commission stated that although some processes for the Ekiti State and Osun State governorship elections have already been completed, all outstanding activities will align strictly with the Electoral Act, 2026.
It maintained that the revised timetable complies with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, and urged all stakeholders to work together to ensure peaceful and credible elections.