Abuja, February 26, 2026 — The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released a revised timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 General Election, adjusting previously announced dates to align with the newly enacted Electoral Act, 2026.
The Commission had earlier scheduled the Presidential and National Assembly elections for February 20, 2027, and the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections for March 6, 2027. However, following the repeal of the Electoral Act, 2022 and the coming into force of the Electoral Act, 2026 — which introduced changes to statutory timelines governing pre-election and electoral activities — INEC said it reviewed and realigned the schedule to ensure compliance with the new legal framework.
Under the revised timetable, the Presidential and National Assembly elections will now hold on Saturday, January 16, 2027, while the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will take place on Saturday, February 6, 2027.
INEC also outlined key milestones in the electoral calendar. 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 are scheduled to begin on August 19, 2026, while campaigns for Governorship and State Assembly elections will start on September 9, 2026.
The Commission reminded political parties that campaigns must end 24 hours before election day, in accordance with the law, and warned that it would strictly enforce compliance with the stipulated timelines.
In a related development, INEC announced that the Osun State Governorship Election, earlier fixed for August 8, 2026, has been rescheduled to Saturday, August 15, 2026.
The Commission noted that while some activities relating to the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections had already been conducted, all remaining processes would proceed in strict adherence to the Electoral Act, 2026.
INEC stated that the revised dates are consistent with the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the Electoral Act, 2026, and urged all stakeholders to cooperate in ensuring peaceful, credible and inclusive elections.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued by National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Malam Mohammed Kudu Haruna.
