INEC Schedules Presidential Election for Feb 20, 2027
The Independent National Electoral Commission has officially set February 20, 2027, as the date for Nigeria’s next presidential and National Assembly elections.
INEC also announced that governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will take place on March 6, 2027, in line with constitutional provisions guiding the electoral process.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, disclosed the timetable during a press conference in Abuja, explaining that the commission acted within the legal time frame required by the Constitution and the Electoral Act.
He stated that the action followed the requirement for INEC to publish a Notice of Election not later than 360 days before the date of the polls.
According to him, the elections will cover the offices of President, Vice President, Governors, Deputy Governors, members of the Senate, House of Representatives, and State Houses of Assembly.
However, governorship elections will not hold in Anambra, Bayelsa, Edo, Ekiti, Imo, Kogi, Ondo, and Osun states due to their off-cycle election timelines.
Amupitan said a detailed timetable and schedule of activities have already been uploaded on INEC’s official website and circulated to political parties and stakeholders.
He explained that the early announcement shows the commission’s commitment to transparency, credibility, and strict adherence to the law.
Addressing concerns over the delay in the passage of the amended Electoral Act, the INEC chairman said the commission would continue to operate based on the current law while awaiting any amendments.
He noted that INEC remains prepared to adjust to any new legal provisions once the amendment is passed by the National Assembly.
Amupitan further explained that by constitutional provision, the tenure of the President, Vice President, Governors, and Deputy Governors will expire on May 28, 2027.
He added that the membership of the National and State Assemblies will be dissolved on June 8, 2027.
He stressed that elections must hold not earlier than 150 days and not later than 30 days before the expiration of current office holders’ tenure.
INEC also confirmed that party primaries will be conducted within the statutory period allowed by law.
Submission of nomination forms by political parties will open and close within the designated window as provided in the timetable.
Campaigns by political parties, he said, will commence on the date stipulated by law and must end 24 hours before Election Day.
He warned political parties to strictly comply with timelines for primaries, nomination submissions, and campaign activities.
Amupitan emphasized that INEC would enforce compliance with the law without hesitation.
He called on security agencies, government institutions, the media, civil society, candidates, and voters to play their roles in ensuring peaceful elections.
Describing the 2027 elections as a collective national responsibility, he assured Nigerians that the commission is fully prepared to deliver credible polls.
The announcement comes amid public discussions over the delayed passage of the amended Electoral Act currently before the National Assembly.
INEC had earlier indicated that it completed work on the election timetable despite the delay, but noted that some activities may be adjusted depending on when the amendment is eventually passed.