Prosper Okoye
Nigeria’s electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has fixed 20 February 2027 for the presidential and National Assembly elections and 6 March 2027 for governorship and state assembly polls, formally triggering the countdown to the country’s next general election.
Announcing the timetable in Abuja on Thursday, INEC chairman Joash Amupitan said the dates were chosen in line with constitutional and statutory provisions governing Nigeria’s electoral cycle.
“By virtue of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), the tenure of the President, Vice-President, Governors and Deputy Governors will expire on 28 May 2027,” Mr Amupitan said, adding that the National and State Assemblies would be dissolved on 8 June 2027.
He cited Sections 76(2), 116(2), 132(2) and 178(2) of the Constitution, which require elections to be held not earlier than 150 days and not later than 30 days before the expiration of the current terms. He also referenced Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, which mandates INEC to publish a notice of election at least 360 days before polling day.
“Therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred on the Commission… the 2027 general election shall hold as follows: Presidential and National Assembly elections on 20 February 2027; Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections on 6 March 2027,” he said.
The INEC chairman said a detailed timetable and schedule of activities had been uploaded to the Commission’s website and circulated to registered political parties and other stakeholders. He directed Resident Electoral Commissioners in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to publish notices in every constituency where elections will be held.
Mr Amupitan said party primaries, nomination of candidates and campaign periods would proceed strictly within the windows set out in the timetable, with campaigns ending 24 hours before polling day, as required by law.
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He also acknowledged ongoing debates over a proposed Electoral Amendment Bill before the National Assembly, saying INEC recognised the need to continually strengthen Nigeria’s electoral framework “to reflect our aspiration for free, fair and credible elections.”
Prosper Okoye is a Correspondent and Research Writer at Prime Business Africa, a Nigerian journalist with experience in development reporting, public affairs, and policy-focused storytelling across Africa
