INEC Shifts 2027 Presidential Election to January 16

INEC Shifts 2027 Presidential Election to January 16

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced a new date for the 2027 Presidential Election, moving it forward to Saturday, January 16, 2027.

The decision is contained in a statement signed on Thursday by the Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Malam Mohammed Kudu Haruna, following the Commission’s approval and issuance of a Revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2027 General Election.

INEC had earlier fixed Saturday, February 20, 2027 for the Presidential and National Assembly Elections, and Saturday, March 6, 2027 for the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly Elections.

However, the repeal of the Electoral Act, 2022 and the enactment of the Electoral Act, 2026 necessitated a review of the schedule.

According to the Commission, the new Electoral Act, 2026 introduced adjustments to statutory timelines governing pre-election and electoral activities, prompting INEC to realign its timetable to ensure full compliance with the law.

Under the revised schedule, Presidential and National Assembly Elections will now hold on Saturday, January 16, 2027, while Governorship and State Houses of Assembly Elections have been moved to Saturday, February 6, 2027.

The Commission also outlined key milestones in the updated timetable. Conduct of party primaries, including the resolution of disputes arising from them, will commence on April 23, 2026 and end on May 30, 2026.

Campaigns for Presidential and National Assembly candidates will begin on August 19, 2026, while Governorship and State Houses of Assembly campaigns will start on September 9, 2026. In line with the law, campaigns are to end 24 hours before election day.

INEC advised political parties to strictly adhere to the timelines, warning that the Commission would enforce compliance with the provisions of the law.

The revised timetable has been published on the Commission’s official website and other communication platforms.

In a related development, INEC announced the rescheduling of the Osun State Governorship Election from Saturday, August 8, 2026 to Saturday, August 15, 2026.

The Commission noted that some activities concerning the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections had already been conducted, but said the remaining processes would be implemented strictly in accordance with the Electoral Act, 2026.

INEC stated that the revised dates are consistent with the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the Electoral Act, 2026, reaffirming its commitment to conducting peaceful, credible and inclusive elections.

“The successful conduct of the forthcoming elections remains a collective responsibility,” the statement read. The Commission called on all stakeholders to cooperate in ensuring that the elections reflect the sovereign will of the Nigerian people.