Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) don talk say dem go release new timetable for the 2027 general elections after changes wey dem make to the country electoral law and as political stakeholders dey call for clear information about the election schedule.
INEC Chief Press Secretary, Adedayo Oketola, confirm on Sunday say the commission dey review the newly signed Electoral Act 2026 to make sure say dem follow everything wey the law talk before dem release new election timetable to the public. “We dey committed to obey the law of the land,” Oketola talk, as he explain say the new timetable go reflect wetin the new legal framework require. INEC bin don earlier announce dates for important elections for the 2027 cycle, with presidential and National Assembly elections fixed for February 20, 2027, and governorship plus State Houses of Assembly elections set for March 6, 2027. But as dem pass the Electoral Act 2026, e come bring big changes, including reduction of the compulsory notice period for elections from 360 days to 300 days. Legal experts and political parties don argue say this change don affect the legal base wey dem use arrange the first timetable, so e mean say dem need to bring out new schedule. Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana (SAN), talk say INEC must produce fresh timetable wey align with the new law to avoid legal wahala. “Dem must release new timetable wey follow the new electoral act. Na wetin law require,” he tell journalists. The earlier dates wey INEC announce also cause criticism from some Muslim groups, wey point out say the presidential election go fall within the expected Ramadan period, and that one fit affect voter turnout for some parts of the country. At the same time, political parties like African Democratic Congress (ADC), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) don urge INEC make dem quickly release the new timetable. Dem stress say clear direction dey very important to organise primaries, congresses and other internal party activities before the elections. INEC talk say dem still dey consult stakeholders and go continue to engage relevant people to develop harmonised timetable wey go reflect both the new law and the operational needs of the commission. As 2027 elections dey draw closer, many people dey watch closely how INEC go balance obeying the law, satisfying stakeholders and handling logistics well when dem finally set the new timetable.
