Senator Imasuen: Elections Should Ignore Religious Dates

Senator Neda Imasuen, representing the Edo South Senatorial District, asserted that religious periods like Lent and Ramadan should not be considered when fixing election dates. He made these remarks during an interview on Arise Television's morning show on Tuesday.

This statement was in reaction to the controversy surrounding the 2027 general election schedule released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). According to INEC, the presidential and national assembly elections are scheduled for February 20, 2027, while state governorship and house assembly elections are set for March 6, 2027.

The timing of these elections has sparked criticism from various quarters in the country, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who urged INEC to reconsider the schedule. Senator Imasuen expressed a differing opinion, emphasizing that the elections should proceed as planned despite concerns raised by Nigerians regarding the impact of religious observances on civic responsibilities.