By Nkechi Eze
Nigeria’s march toward the 2027 General Elections has formally commenced, following the release of the Notice of Election and comprehensive Timetable and Schedule of Activities by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Addressing journalists in Abuja on Friday, INEC Chairman, Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, announced that the Presidential and National Assembly elections will be held on February 20, 2027, while Governorship and State Houses of Assembly polls are scheduled for March 6, 2027.
Amupitan stated that the Commission’s action was taken in strict adherence to constitutional and statutory requirements, dismissing earlier speculative announcements by political actors as misleading. He anchored the timetable on provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), noting that the tenure of the President, Vice President, and most Governors and Deputy Governors will expire on May 28, 2027. The exceptions, he explained, are Anambra, Bayelsa, Edo, Ekiti, Imo, Kogi, Ondo and Osun States, which operate off-cycle governorship elections. Membership of the National and State Assemblies, he added, will be dissolved on June 8, 2027.
Citing Sections 76(2), 116(2), 132(2) and 178(2) of the Constitution, the INEC Chairman emphasized that elections must be conducted not earlier than 150 days and not later than 30 days before the expiration of current office holders’ terms. According to him, the February and March 2027 dates fall squarely within this constitutional window.
He further explained that the Commission’s action complies with Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022, which mandates INEC to publish the Notice of Election at least 360 days before the election date. With the presidential poll now fixed for February 20, 2027, the formal political calendar has been activated, providing political parties, candidates and civil society organisations a clear framework for preparation.
The elections will cover the offices of President and Vice President; Governors and Deputy Governors in states not conducting off-cycle polls; members of the Senate; members of the House of Representatives; and members of the State Houses of Assembly.
According to the approved timetable, political party primaries are to be conducted within the statutory timeframe prescribed by law. The submission of nomination forms will open and close within the designated period, while campaigns will commence as stipulated by law and must end 24 hours before Election Day.
Amupitan issued a firm warning to political parties to adhere strictly to the timelines, stressing that INEC will enforce compliance where necessary. While acknowledging ongoing efforts at the National Assembly to amend the Electoral Act, 2022, he described the legislative review as important to strengthening Nigeria’s electoral framework. However, he maintained that until any amendment is enacted, the Commission remains bound by the existing legal provisions.
“As an independent electoral body, we are committed to upholding the rule of law,” he said, adding that the early release of the timetable is intended to provide stakeholders with ample time for preparation.
Looking ahead, the INEC Chairman outlined key operational priorities for the 2027 cycle, including deeper deployment of technology to enhance transparency, continuous cleaning and updating of the National Register of Voters, strengthened collaboration with security agencies to ensure peaceful polls, and expanded voter education and stakeholder engagement.
These assurances come amid heightened public scrutiny of electoral logistics, result transmission systems and voter register integrity following the 2023 elections.
With the formal commencement of the electoral cycle, political parties are expected to intensify internal consultations, coalition discussions and strategic alignments ahead of their primaries. The early clarity on election dates also provides greater certainty for markets, policymakers and investors by reducing speculation and defining Nigeria’s political timeline.
In his closing remarks, Amupitan appealed to political actors to conduct their activities peacefully, urging them to reject violence and inflammatory rhetoric while strengthening internal party democracy.
“The success of the 2027 General Elections is a collective responsibility,” he declared.
With the timetable now in place, the message from INEC is clear: the countdown to 2027 has officially begun.
