2027 Election: Did INEC Give Minister Adelabu, Others Deadline to Resign? Fact Emerges
- INEC has debunked a fake graphic claiming a March 2026 resignation deadline for officials seeking election
- Nigerian government officials eyeing the 2027 general elections include key ministers from various sectors
- The electoral body emphasised verification of information through official channels to combat misleading content
Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering politics, elections, public affairs and governance in Nigeria and Africa.
FCT, Abuja - The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed a viral graphic claiming that it announced Thursday, March 26, 2026, as the resignation deadline for government officials seeking election.
Legit.ng reports that government officials who may seek election in 2027 include Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, Minister of Power Bayo Adelabu and Minister of Health and Social Welfare Muhammad Ali Pate, among others.
Source: Twitter
In a statement shared on its official X (formerly Twitter) page on Friday, March 6, INEC clarified that the information did not originate from the Commission.
INEC said:
"INEC has not issued any such announcement, and the graphic being circulated is fake and misleading. Members of the public, media organisations, and political stakeholders are therefore advised to disregard the message in its entirety."
It added:
"For the avoidance of doubt, all official information, announcements, and updates from the Commission are published only through INEC’s verified channels, including:
- The official website: https://inecnigeria.org
- The Commission’s verified social media platforms
- Official press releases from the Commission
Furthermore, INEC urged Nigerians to verify election-related information through its official channels and refrain from sharing unverified content that could mislead the public.
INEC concluded via the X post:
"The Commission remains committed to providing accurate, timely, and transparent information to the public."
Court gives INEC order
Meanwhile, a Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja has directed INEC to restore and conduct elections in suppressed constituencies of Kogi State.
On Friday, March 6, Justice Isah Danshan ruled that elections must be conducted in the previously suppressed constituencies.
He condemned the long-standing injustice, noting that evidence shows these constituencies existed when the state was created, and ordered their restoration. Danshan further directed that, with this fact established beyond a reasonable doubt, INEC must conduct elections in the previously suppressed constituencies in 2027 without delay, Business Day noted.
With the judgment, INEC is expected to conduct elections in 36 constituencies in 2027.
Source: Facebook
'International community watching INEC'
Ahead of the 2027 election, former Commonwealth Secretary-General Emeka Anyaoku has advised INEC and the Nigerian government to ensure that the forthcoming 2027 general elections are peaceful, fair and credible.
Anyaoku's advice comes following the controversy surrounding the electronic transmission of results in the coming 2027 elections.
Per Nigerian Tribune, Anyaoku harped on the importance of transparency and accountability, stressing that the international community would keep a close eye on how the elections are conducted. He added that everyone, including nations with diplomatic representation, would be able to access the results for fairness and credibility.
Read more on INEC:
- INEC chairman mentions what Ghana learned from Nigeria
- Ballot boxes destroyed as fire razes INEC office in Delta
- 715 INEC offices moved out of LG secretariats, chairman speaks
INEC speaks on diaspora voting
Legit.ng earlier reported that ahead of the 2027 general elections in Nigeria, the INEC chairman said there are recommendations in support of diaspora voting.
The INEC boss spoke at a meeting with the resident electoral commissioners (RECs).
Source: Legit.ng
