Breaking: INEC Announces New Date for 2027 Presidential Election
- INEC has announced the review of the 2027 general elections timetable, following the repeal of the 2022 Electoral Act and the enactment of the Electoral Act 2026
- According to the new schedule of the general election, the presidential and national assembly election has been shifted backwards
- Similarly, the governorship and state houses of assembly elections have been adjusted and will be held on an earlier date
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced a new date for the 2023 presidential election. The electoral body has now fixed January 16, 2027, for the presidential and national assembly elections.
Also, the commission added that February 6, 2027, has now been fixed as the new date when the governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections will be held.
Source: Getty Images
The announcement was made by the national commissioner and chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, in a statement on Thursday, February 26.
Recall that the electoral body had earlier fixed the presidential and national assembly elections to February 20, 2027, while governorship and state houses of assembly elections were scheduled for March 6 of the same year. However, the commission was forced to review the timetable following the repeal of the Electoral Act 2022 and the enactment of the Electoral Act 2026.
The electoral body maintained that political parties are expected to conduct their primaries, including resolution of disputes arising from primaries, from April 23, 2026 and end on May 30, 2026. Presidential and National Assembly campaigns will commence on August 19, 2026. Governorship and State Houses of Assembly campaigns will start on September 9, 2026. As provided by law, campaigns shall end 24 hours before Election Day. Political parties are strongly advised to adhere strictly to these timelines. The Commission will enforce compliance with the law.
Nigerians react as INEC rescheduled 2027 elections
However, Nigerians have started reacting to the announcement by the electoral body. Below are some of their comments:
Olumide Olorunfemi said politics has fully started in Nigeria:
"Politics is officially in full swing, everything is moving fast, and this year is already loaded. At the end of the day, we demand a free and fair election. That's all that really matters."
Source: Getty Images
Castro Naija said January is a hard time for Nigeria:
"The election has been moved to a time when vote buying would be easy. During hardship and hunger. January is normally the toughest month due to the end of year celebrations, and with empty pockets resulting from the celebrations."
El-barrio alleged corruption in Nigeria elections:
"Nigerians Regious way no God, ordinary chairmen and cancelors election way they do inside fasting period. Still, corruption played on."
Engr. Christian Chukwu demanded credible elections from the electoral body:
"Just give Nigerians free, fair and credible elections where our votes will count, that's all we ask and stop being useless."
You can read the full statement of INEC here:
Atiku and ADC disagreed on the election timetable
Legit.ng earlier reported that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) have taken different positions on the 2027 general election timetable that was released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
In a statement issued and signed by the ADC's national publicity secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, on Friday, February 13, the party welcomed the decision of the electoral body to hold the election on February 20, 2027, for the presidential and national assembly elections.
Source: Legit.ng
