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| INEC |
The Independent National Electoral Commission has announced a major adjustment to Nigeria’s electoral timetable, fixing January 16, 2027, for the Presidential and National Assembly elections.
The commission said the decision followed the repeal of the Electoral Act 2022 and the introduction of the Electoral Act 2026, which altered the legal timelines guiding the conduct of elections across the country.
In a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja, National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Malam Mohammed Kudu Haruna, explained that the new legislation compelled the commission to review previously announced dates to align with existing laws.
He stated that INEC had reviewed and realigned its election schedule to ensure full compliance with the provisions of the new Act, noting that the governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections would now hold on February 6, 2027.
The revised timetable represents a shift from the earlier arrangement that scheduled the presidential election for late February and state elections for March 2027.
INEC also confirmed changes to off-cycle polls, announcing that the Osun State governorship election earlier fixed for August 8, 2026, would now take place on August 15, 2026, while ongoing preparations for both Ekiti and Osun elections would continue under the framework of the Electoral Act 2026.
According to the commission, political party primaries are expected to run from April 23 to May 30, 2026, while campaigns for presidential and National Assembly elections will begin on August 19, 2026, followed by governorship and state assembly campaigns on September 9, 2026.
Haruna urged political parties to strictly comply with the approved timelines, stressing that campaigns must end 24 hours before election day as required by law. He added that the new schedule remains consistent with the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and called on stakeholders to support efforts toward peaceful, credible and inclusive elections in 2027.
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