The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has rescheduled Nigeria’s 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections to January 16, 2027, marking the first time since the country’s return to democracy in 1999 that a presidential poll will be conducted in January.

Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections have been fixed for February 6, 2027.

The revised timetable was announced Thursday in Abuja by National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna. He said the adjustment followed the repeal of the Electoral Act, 2022, and the enactment of the Electoral Act, 2026.

INEC had earlier scheduled the presidential and National Assembly elections for February 20, 2027, and governorship and state assembly polls for March 6, 2027. However, the timetable drew criticism over a possible clash with Ramadan, expected to begin on February 8, 2027.

Haruna explained that the Electoral Act, 2026 introduced new statutory timelines governing pre-election processes and electoral activities, necessitating a realignment of the commission’s schedule to ensure compliance.

“Accordingly, the Commission has resolved as follows: Presidential and National Assembly Elections will now hold on Saturday, 16th January 2027. Governorship and State Houses of Assembly Elections will now hold on Saturday, 6th February 2027,” the statement read.

Under the revised timetable:

• Party primaries (including dispute resolution) will run from April 23 to May 30, 2026.
• Campaigns for presidential and National Assembly elections will commence on August 19, 2026.
• Governorship and state assembly campaigns will begin on September 9, 2026.
• All campaigns must end 24 hours before election day.

Haruna added that the updated timetable is available on INEC’s official platforms and warned that compliance would be strictly enforced

INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), said the commission was compelled to revise the timetable following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s assent to the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2026. He noted that the earlier Notice of Election issued on February 13, 2026, had been made under the old legal framework and required adjustment to align with the new Act.

INEC also shifted the Osun State governorship election from August 8 to August 15, 2026, stating that outstanding activities for both Ekiti and Osun elections will proceed strictly in line with the Electoral Act, 2026.

Since 1999, Nigeria’s presidential elections have traditionally been held in February, March or April  making January 16, 2027, a significant and historic departure in the country’s electoral calendar.