₦airaland Forum

PRESS STATEMENT

INEC Clarifies Basis for 2027 General Election Dates, Notes Stakeholder Concerns

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) wishes to address public concerns arising from the recently released Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2027 General Election, particularly regarding the dates fixed for the conduct of elections.

The Commission recalls that the Timetable was developed in strict compliance with the Timelines contained in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), the Electoral Act, 2022, and the INEC Guidelines and Regulations for the Conduct of Elections, 2022.

The INEC Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections, made since 2019, fixed the dates elections are to be held. Paragraph 2 of the Regulation provides:

“Election to the office of President and Vice President, as well as National Assembly, shall hold on the Third Saturday of February of any General Election year, while election to the Office of Governor and Deputy Governor and the State Houses of Assembly shall hold two (2) weeks thereafter.”

Accordingly, and in faithful observance of these extant legal and regulatory provisions, the Commission fixed Saturday, 20th February 2027 for the Presidential and National Assembly Elections and Saturday, 6th March 2027, for the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly Elections.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Commission has taken due notice of concerns expressed by stakeholders regarding the coincidence of the scheduled dates with certain nationally recognised holidays and observances. The Commission wishes to assure the public that it remains sensitive to all legitimate concerns that may impact electoral participation and the overall conduct of elections.

In view of these representations, the Commission is currently undertaking consultations and may, where necessary, seek appropriate legislative intervention to address the concerns raised, while ensuring that any adjustment remains consistent with constitutional and statutory requirements.

INEC reiterates its unwavering commitment to transparency, inclusivity, and the credible conduct of the 2027 General Election. The public will be duly informed of any further developments.

Mohammed Kudu Haruna
National Commissioner, Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee
13th February 2026

Source

Quite aptly stated and professionally scripted response from INEC.

Always clarify every time

It seems this new inec chairman is up to the task.
I can't wait for inec to start recruiting ad-hoc staff, I want to be a part of this election

Wallade:
Quite aptly stated and professionally scripted response from INEC.

Noting stakeholders concerns.


Does it mean that they will change the date

Essentlaly the dates were due to the way the law was formulated, and if INEC has to change the dates, the law has to be changed....is what they are saying.

INEC abeg no change the date, majority go dey holy mood, make dem let their conscience determine the right candidate, stomach no go determine the candidate to be voted for.
Holiness and lack of strength won't let them be fighting about also.
That election might actually be the best and violence free election ever

The 2023 general elections were also held the same period of February/March. All these noise now about timing are coming from Sharia council and Miyetti Allah who are desperate to abuse the minds of people about the reputation of the INEC chairman Professor Amupitan simply because he agrees with the truth that there is an ongoing genocide against Christians in Nigeria spanning over two decades.

Won a salaye. No Election during lent.Lets do our elections on week days.

Because of just 2 days that you will go to polling station to cast votes, entire nation must shift election.

Election that doesn't require any stressful action, people fasting and still go to farm or office to do their daily job, but for ordinary vote, they must shift the poll.

We never ready for development in this country, if Nigeria doesn't separate from religion, most especially Islam, religion will sure destroy it.

Is this even supposed to be up for debate and explainings in a serious country with serious citizens?
Very soon, we'll reconsider election dates so that people admitted in hospital or women giving birth can finish then we can all vote. Also consider Holy congress, Hallelujah challenge, estate carnival, landlord meeting and Olumba retreat, not only Lent and Ramadan. Funny country.

Are they scared that their rigging machine maybe less cooperative during fasting and Easter period?

Will the fasting make their hearts soft & make them not rig or they will still be thieves even in the "religious" period.

Religion and Nigeria,could this and other reasons justify Nigeria Separation , because holding elections on Saturday is not also ok for a Sabbath

As if some of us will even vote that day.
It is my holiday to sleep, watch TV and play games.
I am not discouraging anymore from voting. But as for me and my house...

ogododo:
PRESS STATEMENT



Source

This is the best response that could have been given to the concerns raised. It's very professional to say least.
If you need the dates to be changed, tell your legislature to amend the necessary provisions in the act.
Very apt indeed.

No Be Juju Be Dat?

No mandatory transmission no election, if this revolution no change this government nothing will

anonimi:
Noting stakeholders concerns.


Does it mean that they will change the date

only by lawmakers who provide February for general elections

In Nigeria electoral bodies convene meetings to see how they can subvert the will of the masses to favour incumbents ...

We can never have a free and fair election again in Nigeria until another huge factory reset (revolution) happens...

This is not the first time. This issue comes up all the time. INEC fixes dates, CAN and NSCIA complain and INEC adjusts the dates.

The reason for this is that May 29th is the handover date and the law says that INEC must conduct elections within a specific time before the handover date.

Wallade:
Quite aptly stated and professionally scripted response from INEC.

At least them nor use ChatGPT write this one

Chucks13:
Who are the stakeholders that are concern? Concern about what? Who are the stakeholders in Nigeria affairs? Is it stakeholders that gave me my voters card or what?

Those losers can gather again to NASS gate as ysual afterall they are jobless so no big deal taken NASS gatemen job as their new job its fine.

Lol... English is truly hard.

You as an owner of a voter's card who can participate in the elections is a stakeholder. Every Nigerian is a stakeholder in the elections.

Quite a professional reaction.

We wear religion as a badge in Nigeria but we don't know the God we claim to worship (both Moslems and Christians)

We are just a bunch of hypocrites if not tell me why a deeply religious country like Nigeria is ranked high on the corruption index.



Inec should not change anything to favour any religion. Religion is a private affair that should not be elevated to a national affair.

Afterall how has those religions helped to change the bad character of those who adhere to them.

lordm:
It seems this new inec chairman is up to the task.
I can't wait for inec to start recruiting ad-hoc staff, I want to be a part of this election

it's a very tough task, quite hectic

OlujobaSamuel:
INEC abeg no change the date, majority go dey holy mood, make dem let their conscience determine the right candidate, stomach no go determine the candidate to be voted for.
Holiness and lack of strength won't let them be fighting about also.
That election might actually be the best and violence free election ever

People wey go sin, use water or prayer wash am away

OlujobaSamuel:
INEC abeg no change the date, majority go dey holy mood, make dem let their conscience determine the right candidate, stomach no go determine the candidate to be voted for.
Holiness and lack of strength won't let them be fighting about also.
That election might actually be the best and violence free election ever

Holy my azz. For this Nigeria wet ppl dey do only wetin favour them.

Nigeria will be a better place without Christians and Muslims

We all know it will get postponed

They won't be able to rig election during fasting

Even atiku is lamenting

Opposition dey protest about live transmission of results last week, he no come out or say anything

He know say himself dey guilty 🤣

Good to read this. We have started counting down to Tinubu's exit of the great Aso Rock. What a tenure! What a disaster of an administration!

May we never have it this bad again.