INEC Announces New Date for 2027 Presidential Election

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced revised dates for Nigeria’s upcoming elections.

The presidential and National Assembly elections will now take place on January 16, 2027. Concurrently, the governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections across the country are scheduled for February 6, 2027.

This adjustment in the electoral timetable was detailed in a statement by Mohammed Haruna, the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee.

INEC explained that the change was necessary following the repeal of the Electoral Act, 2022, and the introduction of a new Electoral Act, 2026, which required a restructuring of the election calendar.

Previously, the presidential and National Assembly elections were set for February 20, 2027, with the governorship and state assembly elections planned for March 6, 2027, prior to this update.

The earlier February 20 date had sparked controversy after former Vice President Atiku Abubakar urged INEC to reconsider the timetable, noting that it coincided with the Ramadan fasting period observed by millions of Nigerian Muslims.

Atiku had warned that conducting elections during Ramadan could negatively affect voter participation and national engagement, describing the timing as insensitive to Nigeria’s socio-religious realities.

“Elections are not mere administrative rituals; they are national exercises that demand maximum participation, physical endurance, and collective focus,” he said at the time, adding that inclusive planning was essential in a religiously diverse country like Nigeria.

INEC had initially unveiled the 2027 general election timetable amid widespread public speculation over polling dates, stating that the schedule complied with constitutional and statutory requirements.

However, the passage of the new Electoral Act, 2026 compelled the commission to reassess its earlier timeline, leading to the fresh dates announced on Thursday.