The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has revised the schedule for Nigeria’s 2027 general election, bringing forward the presidential poll to Saturday, 16 January, and the governorship and state assembly elections to Saturday, 6 February.
The new timetable was announced on Thursday by Mohammed Kudu Haruna, INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, in a statement issued in Abuja.
INEC said the adjustment became necessary following the repeal of the Electoral Act, 2022, and the enactment of the Electoral Act, 2026, which introduced new statutory timelines for pre-election and electoral activities.
The earlier timetable, which scheduled the presidential and National Assembly elections for 20 February 2027 and the governorship and state houses of assembly elections for 6 March 2027, was set under the old legal framework.
“The commission has reviewed and realigned the schedule to ensure full compliance with the new legal framework,” the statement said.
Under the revised electoral calendar, the presidential and National Assembly elections will be held on 16 January 2027, while the governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections are slated for 6 February 2027.
Party primaries and dispute resolution processes are expected to take place from 23 April to 30 May 2026.
Campaigns for presidential and National Assembly elections will begin on 19 August 2026, while campaigns for state elections will commence on 9 September 2026.
INEC emphasized that campaigns must end 24 hours before each election day and warned political parties to strictly adhere to the timelines.
In addition to the national polls, the commission announced a minor revision for off-cycle elections, rescheduling the Osun State Governorship Election from 8 August 2026 to 15 August 2026.
The shift marks one of the first major administrative actions following the passage of the Electoral Act, 2026.
