By Ebuka Onyekwelu, Ph. D
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed dates for the 2027 Presidential Election as well as the 2027 gubernatorial and State Assembly Elections across the federation. This development was revealed today by the Chairman of the INEC, Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN, during a press briefing at the INEC headquarters in Abuja.
For the presidential election, the date has been fixed for February 20, 2027, that is, in exactly one year’s time. But for the governorship election in states where there is no off-cycle gubernatorial election, as well as State Assembly elections, the date was fixed for March 6, 2027. This is in line with the provision of the Electoral Act, which mandated the electoral umpire to issue a notice of election at least 360 days before the date of the election.
Already, politicians and political parties have begun to organize and prepare ahead of the 2027 election. However, with this notice, more is now expected from politicians and political parties preparing to participate in next year’s election.
Addressing the press, the INEC Chairman assured Nigerians of the Commission’s readiness to conduct a free and credible election next year, while also charging political parties to “strictly adhere to the election timelines.” Professor Amupitan further assured Nigerians that the Commission is willing to deepen electoral probity through the use of technology to enhance electoral credibility. Similarly, the INEC called on political parties to ensure the conduct of free and credible primary elections.
From the timetable released by the INEC today, political parties are mandated to submit their membership register from 22nd April 2026 till May 21st, 2026. More so, political parties are expected to conduct primaries between May 22nd, 2026, and June 20th, 2026. Meanwhile, political campaigns have been slated to commence on 23rd September 2026, for Presidential and National Assembly elections, and 7th October 2026, for Governorship and House of Assembly elections.
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