Nigeria's National Assembly Sets 2027 Election Dates

On February 13, 2026, the National Assembly of Nigeria convened an emergency session to address the election dates for the 2027 general elections. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), led by Chairman Professor Joash Amupitan, announced that the presidential election is scheduled for February 20, 2027, while governorship and state house assembly elections will take place on March 6, 2027.

This announcement has faced criticism from various stakeholders, particularly from former Vice President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), who expressed concerns that the election dates coincide with Ramadan 1448. Muslim groups have also voiced objections.

INEC clarified that the dates were selected in accordance with existing laws and the 1999 Constitution, as well as the Electoral Act of 2022. The National Assembly's emergency session is set for February 17, 2026, at 11 AM, where crucial decisions will be made regarding the electoral process.