INEC Shifts 2027 Polls to January, Reschedules Key Dates Under New Electoral Act

By Linda Ike

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has overhauled Nigeria’s 2027 general election timetable, rescheduling Presidential and National Assembly elections to January 16, 2027.

The adjustment stems from the repeal of the Electoral Act 2022 and the passage of the Electoral Act 2026, which mandates stricter timelines.

INEC announced the changes in a Thursday night statement from Abuja, confirming a full review to align with the new law.

National Commissioner, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, detailed the updates. Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections now move to February 6, 2027, scrapping prior late February and March dates.

Off-cycle polls shift too: Osun State’s governorship election slides from August 8 to August 15, 2026. Party primaries run April 23 to May 30, 2026; presidential and National Assembly campaigns kick off August 19, 2026; and governorship campaigns follow on September 9, 2026.

INEC warned political parties to stick to the schedule, noting campaigns must end 24 hours before polling day per the Constitution and Electoral Act 2026.