INEC Commission Sets New Timetable for 2027 Elections, Moves Presidential Polls to January
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially announced that the 2027 presidential election in Nigeria will hold on Saturday, January 16, 2027. This adjustment comes as part of a realignment of the electoral calendar under the new Electoral Act, 2026, which revised timelines for all general elections.
According to electoral commission, the governorship and state assembly elections will now be conducted on Saturday, February 6, 2027, ensuring sufficient time for pre-election preparations and adherence to statutory timelines.
The commission has also outlined critical pre-election activities, including party primaries scheduled for April–May 2026 and the official campaign period starting from August/September 2026, which must end 24 hours before Election Day. INEC emphasized that these adjustments are intended to maintain transparency and compliance with the new electoral law.
This marks the first time in Nigeria’s democratic history since 1999 that the presidential election will be conducted in January, a shift from previous February schedules, signaling a significant change in the nation’s electoral cycle.
Read also INEC Fixes January 16, 2027 for Nigeria’s Presidential Election
