INEC Fixes January 16, 2027 for Presidential Election
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed January 16, 2027, as the new date for the presidential and National Assembly elections.
The commission also announced that governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will now hold on February 6, 2027.
Mohammed Haruna, national commissioner and chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, disclosed the revised timetable in a statement issued on Thursday.
INEC had initially scheduled the presidential and National Assembly elections for February 20, 2027, and the governorship and state assembly elections for March 6, 2027. However, the commission reviewed the schedule following the repeal of the Electoral Act, 2022 and the enactment of the Electoral Act, 2026.
Haruna explained that the Electoral Act, 2026 introduced adjustments to statutory timelines governing pre-election and electoral activities. As a result, the commission realigned the previously released schedule to ensure full compliance with the new legal framework.
“Accordingly, the Commission has resolved as follows: Presidential and National Assembly Elections will now hold on Saturday, 16th January 2027, while Governorship and State Houses of Assembly Elections will hold on Saturday, 6th February 2027,” the statement read.
He added that, in line with the approved schedule of activities, political party primaries — including the resolution of disputes arising from them — will commence on April 23, 2026, and conclude on May 30, 2026.
Campaigns for presidential and National Assembly elections will begin on August 19, 2026, while governorship and state assembly campaigns will commence on September 9, 2026.
“As provided by law, campaigns shall end 24 hours before Election Day. Political parties are strongly advised to adhere strictly to these timelines. The Commission will enforce compliance with the law,” Haruna stated.
He noted that the revised timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general elections have been published on the commission’s official website and other communication platforms.
Haruna further disclosed that the Osun State governorship election, previously scheduled for August 8, 2026, has been moved to August 15, 2026.
“The commission notes that some activities in respect of the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections have already been conducted. However, the remaining activities will now be implemented strictly in accordance with the Electoral Act, 2026,” he said.
This marks the first time INEC will conduct a presidential election in January since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999.
Historically, presidential elections were held on February 27, 1999; April 19, 2003; April 21, 2007; April 16, 2011; March 28, 2015; and February 23 and 25 in 2019 and 2023, respectively.