There are strong indications that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the National Assembly have agreed to move the 2027 presidential election to January 16, 2027, in a dramatic reversal of the earlier February 20 date.
Similarly, the governorship elections are also set to be brought forward to January 30, 2027, multiple sources within the electoral body and the legislature confirmed on Monday.
The development comes a few hours after the Senate and House of Representatives suspended the planned harmonisation of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill to focus on an emergency plenary session convened for Tuesday, where the new dates are expected to top deliberations.
“After several consultations and meetings, INEC and the leadership of the National Assembly have now agreed on a new date for next year’s election,” a senior INEC official said.
“The new dates will now be January 16 and 30 for presidential and governorship elections, respectively,” the source added.
A ranking senator also corroborated the development, though he cautioned that the proposal was still subject to debate on the floor.
“Whoever hinted to you about the new dates is correct. That is the proposal currently on the table. However, that doesn’t mean it can’t change tomorrow,” he said.
The shift marks a significant turning point in the evolving electoral calendar for 2027 and underscores the mounting political, religious and logistical pressures surrounding Nigeria’s next general elections.
INEC had initially fixed Saturday, February 20, 2027, for the presidential and National Assembly elections, with governorship and state Houses of Assembly polls scheduled for March 6, 2027.
However, the February 20 date drew sharp criticism from Muslim groups and political stakeholders who argued that it coincided with the holy month of Ramadan, projected to run from February 7 to March 8, 2027.
For many observers, the controversy quickly transformed from a scheduling matter into a broader debate about inclusivity, religious sensitivity and voter participation in a multi-faith nation.
Over the weekend, there were indications that lawmakers were considering February 13 as a compromise date to address concerns raised by Muslim faithful who frowned at the idea of voting during fasting.
But fresh information indicated that consultations between INEC and the National Assembly leadership had produced a more drastic option, moving the polls into January.
If adopted, the January 16 date would make the 2027 presidential election one of the earliest in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic calendar, effectively compressing campaign timelines and administrative preparations.
The PUNCH