The new 2027 Nigeria election dates now mean that the general polls will happen earlier. The reason is a new law, a religious calendar, and a timetable scrapped just 13 days after its announcement.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released a revised timetable for the 2027 general elections. This new schedule brings key poll dates earlier following the annulment of the Electoral Act 2022 and the enactment of the Electoral Act 2026.
The commission had originally announced the Presidential and National Assembly elections for February 20, 2027, and Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections for March 6, 2027. Those dates are now gone. Here is what has changed and why. 
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Why INEC Changed the Dates
The original schedule faced opposition from Muslim stakeholders, who argued that the dates coincided with the Ramadan period. This prompted the Senate to amend Clause 28 of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill. The amendment reduced the mandatory notice period for elections from 360 days to 300 days. This makes it possible for INEC to change the dates.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar was among those who publicly called for a review. He warned that elections during Ramadan could dampen voter participation across Nigeria’s significant Muslim population.
Addressing the change, INEC Chairman Professor Joash Amupitan said: “We had on 13 February 2026 issued a Notice of Election before the new Act was enacted. The notice was issued under the old law. With the introduction of the new Electoral Act, we have to make some adjustments and issue a revised timetable for the 2027 General Election.”
What are the New 2027 Nigeria Election Dates?
The revised schedule, signed by Amupitan and published on February 27, 2026, sets the following:
- The Presidential and National Assembly elections will now hold on January 16, 2027, with campaigns commencing on August 19, 2026.
- The Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections follow on February 6 2027, with campaigns beginning on September 9 2026.
- Party primaries run from 23 April to 30 May 2026.
- The voter register comes out on December 15 2026.
What This Means
With this change, Nigeria’s most consequential civic exercise will now happen in January. That means a leaner timeline, tighter preparation windows, and a demand for faster mobilisation from political parties, candidates, and voters.
With the revised calendar now set, political parties, candidates, and voters must adjust their preparations. Nigeria moves into another election cycle under an amended law. The clock is already running.
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