Breaking: INEC Announces When the 2027 Presidential Election Will Hold, Details Emerge
- INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, announced that the Presidential and National Assembly elections were fixed for 20 February 2027
- The Independent National Electoral Commission, said governorship and State House of Assembly elections were scheduled for 6 March 2027 in line with constitutional provisions
- INEC leadership, confirmed that the 2027 election timetable was published in compliance with the Electoral Act and circulated to political parties and stakeholders
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has formally unveiled the timetable for Nigeria’s 2027 General Election, fixing the presidential poll for 20 February 2027.
The announcement was made on Friday in Abuja by the INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan, during a press briefing where the commission outlined key dates and constitutional backing for the exercise.
Source: Twitter
Presidential and National Assembly polls fixed for February
According to Amupitan, voters will elect the President and members of the National Assembly on the same day, while governorship and State House of Assembly elections will follow two weeks later.
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He said:
“The Presidential and National Assembly elections will hold on the 20th February, 2027; Governorship and State Houses of Assembly will be on the 6th March, 2027.”
INEC cites constitutional provisions for election dates
Explaining the legal framework guiding the timetable, the INEC Chairman said:
“By virtue of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, the tenure of the President, the Vice-President, the Governors, and Deputy Governors of states of the Federation, except Anambra State, Bayasa State, Edo States, Ekiti States, Imo State, Ogi, Kondo, and National States, will expire on the 28th day of May, 2027.”
He added:
“Membership of the National and State Assemblies will stand dissolved on the 8th day of June, 2021.”
Amupitan further stated:
“Pursuant to Section 76(2), 116(2), 132(2), and 178(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, elections to the said offices shall hold not earlier than 150 days, and not later than 30 days, before the expiration of the term of office of the holders.”
Commission says notice published in line with Electoral Act
The INEC Chairman said the release of the timetable complied strictly with the law, noting:
Source: Facebook
“This action we are taking today is pursuant to the provisions of the Constitution of Nigeria, and in particular, Section 28, subsection 1 of the Electoral Act, 2022, which mandates the Commission to publish the notice of election not later than 360 days before the date appointed for the election.”
Reaffirming the commission’s autonomy, he added:
“Let me reiterate that the authority and power to publish the date of election is that of the Independent National Electoral Commission.”
Scope of elections and nationwide coverage outlined
Amupitan explained that the 2027 polls would cover offices across all tiers of government.
He said:
“The 2027 general election will hold nationwide for the following offices: President and Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; Governors and Deputy Governors of the states of the Federation, except those states I had mentioned; members of the Senate; members of the House of Representatives; and members of the Houses of Assembly of states.”
He continued:
“Therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred on the Commission by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, and the Electoral Act of 2022, and all other powers enabling it in that behalf, the Commission hereby sets in motion the electoral process for the 2027 general election.”
Timetable published online as INEC declares readiness
The INEC Chairman said the commission was fully prepared for the elections and had already circulated details to stakeholders.
“The detailed timetable and schedule of activities have been uploaded to the Commission’s website this morning, and have been circulated to registered political parties and relevant stakeholders,” he said.
Analyst speaks on election dates
Speaking with Legit.ng a political analyst Hamma Hayatu said:
"I assure you that the date for elections 2027 just released shall be changed. Presidential election is in Ramadan not even that the Gubernatorial election day is on sallah day. Are INEC this daft not to consider serious days while making their plans or they are that so unserious"
INEC proposes N873.78bn to conduct 2027 elections
Previously, Legit.ng reported that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has proposed a total budget of N873.78 billion for the conduct of the 2027 general elections.
It was gathered that the budget has substantial allocations to election operations, technology, and capital expenditure.
Source: Legit.ng
