National Assembly Considers Presidential Election Date Change

The National Assembly is set to reconvene on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, to consider moving the presidential election date from February 20, 2027, to February 13, 2027. This adjustment is primarily due to concerns that the original date coincides with the Ramadan fasting period.

The session, called by Clerk Kamoru Ogunlana, aims to provide legal backing for this potential change, responding to public pressure from stakeholders, including Muslim advocacy groups. Additionally, the session will revisit the controversial Electoral Act, particularly the recent Senate approval of electronic transmission of results, which has faced criticism for potentially weakening electoral transparency.

Senate leader Opeyemi Bamidele cited Nigeria's infrastructural challenges as a reason for the impracticality of mandatory real-time transmission. The joint National Assembly committee is also working to reconcile differing versions of the amendment bill, with a deadline set for one week.

The discussions underscore rising political tensions as the country approaches the 2027 elections.