INEC Sets Dates For Presidential, Governorship Elections

February 13, 2026

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.

Join our WhatsApp Channel

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.

2027 Polls: INEC Projects ₦873.78bn Budget, Seeks ₦209bn for Election Technology

INEC Raises Concern Over Party Infighting as It Registers Two New Political Parties

Muslims May Boycott 2027 Elections Over INEC Chairman

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.”

+ posts

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

Prosper Okoye

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

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

Previous Story

Germany Confirms Revival of $2.3bn Siemens Power Deal Under Tinubu

Next Story

Morocco Earmarks $330m for Flood-Hit Northern Regions

Featured Stories

Latest from News

Nigeria Seeks Foreign Crude Supply for Dangote Refinery

The Nigerian government is exploring plans to supply crude oil to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery through international third-party traders as it seeks to stabilise domestic fuel supply amid rising petrol prices, officials and industry sources said. The move, coordinated by the state

PDP Elects New Local Government Leaders in Bayelsa

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State has elected new leaders across its eight local government areas following party congresses held over the weekend, officials said. The exercise was conducted peacefully, with consensus arrangements used in selecting party executives in several
Previous Story

Germany Confirms Revival of $2.3bn Siemens Power Deal Under Tinubu

Next Story

Morocco Earmarks $330m for Flood-Hit Northern Regions

Don't Miss

Rivers LG election

Rivers LG Polls: Voting Ongoing Despite Explosion, Protests

The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) has begun the
Temilade Openiyi aka Tems

Tems Opens Up On Future And Pregnancy Suspicion

Nigerian singer and record producer, Temilade Openiyi, otherwise known as