Nigeria’s electoral body, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has officially moved the 2027 general elections forward to January after changes to the country’s electoral law.
Under the new timetable, presidential and National Assembly elections will now take place on Saturday, 16 January 2027, instead of 20 February. Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will be held on 6 February 2027, rather than the previously planned 6 March date.
INEC said the changes follow the repeal of the Electoral Act 2022 and the introduction of the Electoral Act 2026, which adjusted timelines for pre-election processes and other electoral activities.
According to the revised schedule:
Party primaries and the resolution of related disputes will run from 23 April to 30 May 2026.
Campaigns for presidential and National Assembly elections will begin on 19 August 2026.
Campaigns for governorship and state assembly elections will start on 9 September 2026.
All campaigns must end 24 hours before election day, as required by law.
INEC warned political parties to strictly follow the new timelines and said it would enforce compliance with the Electoral Act 2026. The commission also called on political actors and citizens to work together to ensure peaceful, transparent, and credible elections that reflect the will of the Nigerian people.
SOURCE : TRT AFRICA
