INEC Brings 2027 General Election Forward, Shifts Osun Governorship Poll
With Nigeria’s political landscape already gathering momentum, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dramatically adjusted the timetable for the 2027 General Election, moving the dates forward in line with the newly enacted Electoral Act, 2026.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Independent National Electoral Commission announced that the Presidential and National Assembly elections will now be held on Saturday, 16 January 2027, instead of 20 February 2027.
The Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections have also been rescheduled to Saturday, 6 February 2027, earlier than the previously announced 6 March date.
INEC said the changes followed 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 explained that the revised timetable ensures full compliance with the new legal framework.
Under the updated schedule, party primaries, including the resolution of disputes, will run from 23 April to 30 May 2026.
Campaigns for Presidential and National Assembly positions will commence on 19 August 2026, while Governorship and State Assembly campaigns will begin on 9 September 2026.
Campaigns are expected to end 24 hours before polling day, as stipulated by law.
INEC also announced that the Osun State Governorship election has been shifted from 8 August to 15 August 2026.
Ongoing activities for both the Ekiti and Osun governorship polls will now proceed strictly under the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026.
Describing the successful conduct of the elections as a collective responsibility, the Commission urged political parties, candidates and stakeholders to comply strictly with the new timelines and work towards peaceful, credible and inclusive polls that reflect the sovereign will of Nigerians.
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