INEC Shifts Nigeria’s 2027 Election Dates, Sets January and February Polls

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has rescheduled Nigeria’s 2027 elections, moving Presidential and National Assembly polls to January 16, 2027, and Governorship and State Assembly elections to February 6, 2027.

INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, revealed on Thursday that party primaries, including dispute resolution, will run from April 23 to May 30, 2026.

The commission had previously set the Presidential and National Assembly elections for February 20, 2027, and the Governorship and State Assembly polls for March 6, 2027, under the Electoral Act, 2022. 

However, following the repeal of the 2022 Act and the enactment of the Electoral Act, 2026, INEC reviewed and realigned the timetable to reflect adjustments to statutory pre-election and electoral timelines.

Campaigns for the Presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled to begin on August 19, 2026, while those for Governorship and State Assembly elections start on September 9, 2026. 

The commission emphasized that all campaigns must end 24 hours before Election Day, warning that noncompliance would be strictly enforced.

The Osun State Governorship election, initially scheduled for August 8, 2026, has been postponed to August 15, 2026. INEC assured that all remaining pre-election activities in Ekiti and Osun states will fully comply with the provisions of the new Electoral Act.

The commission called on all stakeholders to ensure peaceful, credible and inclusive elections, in line with the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the legal framework established by the Electoral Act, 2026.