2026 Electoral Act Extends Campaign Period for 2027 Elections

The 2026 Electoral Act, signed into law in February 2026, extended the electoral campaign period to 150 days for the 2027 elections, a notable increase from the 90-day window established by the 2010 Electoral Act. This change aims to allow presidential candidates to campaign effectively across all 36 state capitals and conclude in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled primaries from mid-April to the end of May 2026, with national election campaigns starting in August and state elections in September. However, despite the extended campaign period, political parties have been hesitant to engage actively.

Observers noted that major parties, including the All Progressives Congress (APC), have not yet inaugurated their campaign councils weeks after the electoral commission lifted the ban on presidential campaigns in August. The APC announced its Presidential Campaign Council on August 22 but has not yet inaugurated it, leading to a lack of campaigning activity.