The Chairman of Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, has announced that the Presidential and the National Assembly elections are scheduled to hold on February 20, 2027.
ddressing political party members, civil society organisations and members of the diplomatic and media community on Friday in Abuja, Prof. Amupitan announced that the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly polls would hold on March 6, 2027.
He recalled that at the Stakeholders’ meetings held last week, he informed participants that the Commission was watching, with keen interest, the ongoing amendment of the Electoral Act, 2022, at the National Assembly, stressing that the electoral body recognises the critical need for timely action to ensure the integrity and effectiveness of our electoral processes.
According to him, it is imperative that INEC acts swiftly to address any challenges arising from any delay that may result in logistical failure.
He explained that by virtue of the 1999 Constitution as amended, the tenure of the President, Vice President, Governors and Deputy Governors of States of the Federation, except Anambra, Bayelsa, Edo, Ekiti, Imo, Kogi, Ondo, and Osun States, would expire on the 28th day of May, 2027, while membership of the National and State Assemblies would stand dissolved on the 8th day of June, 2027.
Amupitan added that pursuant to Sections 76(2), 116 (2), 132 (2) and 178 (2) of the 1999 Constitution, elections to the said offices shall hold not earlier than 150 days and not later than 30 days before the expiration of the term of office of`the last holder of that office.
According to the published schedule of the timetable, the party primaries shall be conducted within the statutory period, while submission of nomination forms will open and close within clearly defined windows. Campaigns will commence in line with the law and must end 24 hours before Election Day.
Amupitan warned political parties to adhere strictly to the timelines, stressing that the Commission would not hesitate to enforce compliance.
Against the backdrop of the debates over electoral credibility in previous cycles, the INEC Chairman pledged deeper deployment of technology, continued cleaning of the National Register of Voters, strengthened collaboration with security agencies and expanded voter education.
He reiterated the Commission’s independence, underscoring that its actions are guided solely by the Constitution, the Electoral Act and its regulations.
With political alignments already taking shape ahead of 2027 polls, Amupitan appealed to political parties to conduct peaceful and credible primaries, avoid inflammatory rhetoric and uphold internal democracy.
He also urged the candidates, supporters and the electorate to maintain peace throughout the electoral cycle.
“The success of the 2027 General Elections is a collective responsibility,” he said, calling on government institutions, security agencies, the media and civil society to play their roles.
As the electoral clock begins to tick toward February 2027, INEC’s formal release of the timetable signals the start of what promises to be another defining chapter in Nigeria’s democratic journey.
GIK/APA