Presidential election holds Jan 16, governorship Feb 6
The presidential election will be held on January 16, according to a revised timetable for the 2027 general election. The National Assembly election will be on the same day. The
- Osun governorship poll Aug. 15
- INEC revises timetable/schedule
The presidential election will be held on January 16, according to a revised timetable for the 2027 general election.
The National Assembly election will be on the same day.
The timetable and schedule of activities made available last night by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) put the governorship and House of Assembly elections for February 6.
A statement by INEC’s Chairman of Information and Voter Education Committee, Mallam Mohammed Kudu Haruna, said the Osun governorship poll has also been shifted from August 8 to August 15.
He did not give the reason for the one-week shift.
The election dates earlier announced by INEC, which the new dates supersede, had slated the presidential and governorship/House of Assembly elections for March 6.
However, there were complaints that those dates coincided with Ramadan.
Having acted within the ambit of the Electoral Act 2022 - the extant law as at the time, INEC was in a fix.
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The National Assembly, which was then in the process of finalising the Electoral Act 2022 amendment, adjusted the number of days required for notification of election from 360 days to 300 days
Yesterday, INEC took advantage of the Electoral Act 2026, which took effect on February 19 - the day the Bill was assented to by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu - to fix new dates.
The INEC statement said: “Following the repeal of the Electoral Act, 2022 and the enactment of the Electoral Act, 2026, which introduced adjustments to statutory timelines governing pre-election and electoral activities, the Commission has reviewed and realigned the Schedule to ensure full compliance with the new legal framework.”
Haruna highlighted what he described as “key milestones in the timetable.”
He said: “In accordance with the approved Schedule of Activities, conduct of party primaries, including resolution of disputes arising from primaries, will commence on 23rd April 2026 and end on 30th May 2026.
“Presidential and National Assembly campaigns will commence on 19th August 2026.
“Governorship and state Houses of Assembly campaigns will commence on 9th September 2026.”
He added: “As provided by law, campaigns shall end 24 hours before election day.
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“Political parties are strongly advised to adhere strictly to these timelines. The Commission will enforce compliance with the law.”
Haruna said the timetable reflecting these adjustments can be accessed on the INEC’s official website and other official communication platforms.
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Emphasising the adjustments to the Ekiti and Osun poll timetable, Haruna said the remaining activities have to conform to the new law.
He stressed: “The commission notes that some activities in respect of the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections have already been conducted.
“However, the remaining activities will now be implemented strictly in accordance with the Electoral Act, 2026.
“The revised dates are consistent with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and the Electoral Act, 2026.”
Reiterating INEC’s commitment to credible polls, the national commissioner urged stakeholders to see the election as a collective responsibility.
He stressed: “The successful conduct of the forthcoming elections remains a collective responsibility.
“The commission calls on all stakeholders to cooperate in ensuring peaceful, credible and inclusive elections that reflect the sovereign will of the Nigerian people.”
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Parties under pressure
The new timetable has put the political parties under pressure.
Mostly hit is the All Progressives Congress (APC), whose congresses are ongoing.
The ward and local government congresses, where ward and council leaders were elected, have held.
Next are the state congresses due to be held on March 2 & 3, and the convention to elect national officers slated for next month.
With the new schedule, existing arrangements by the party, including financial commitments already made, will be altered.
The Labour Party’s congresses are due to be held next month.
The other parties, such as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the African Democratic Congress (ADC), New Nigeria People Party (NNPP) and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) that have not fixed dates for congresses and conventions will be under more pressure in view of the new dates.
