Nigeria’s electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has officially announced February 20, 2027, as the date for the next Presidential and National Assembly elections, setting the stage for what is expected to be a defining democratic contest in the country’s political history.
The comprehensive timetable for the 2027 General Elections outlines a structured sequence of activities spanning party primaries, submission of candidates, campaign windows, and the final voting dates.
According to the 2027 General Elections timetable released by INEC:
Political Parties’ Primaries: July 1 – September 30, 2026.
Political parties are expected to conduct their internal primaries within this period to select candidates for various elective positions.
Submission of Candidates’ Lists: October 1 – October 31, 2026.
Parties must submit the names of their nominated candidates to INEC within this one-month window.
Publication of Final Candidates’ List: November 15, 2026.
INEC will publish the final list of cleared candidates for all elective offices.
Campaign Period (Presidential and National Assembly Elections): November 18, 2026 – February 19, 2027.
Political parties and their candidates will have approximately three months to canvass for votes ahead of the presidential and federal legislative elections.
Campaign Period (Governorship and State House of Assembly Elections): December 15, 2026 – March 5, 2027.
Campaigns for state-level offices will commence later and conclude a day before the elections.
Presidential and National Assembly Elections: Saturday, February 20, 2027.
Governorship and State House of Assembly Elections: Saturday, March 6, 2027.
Countdown to a Pivotal Poll
With the timetable now public, political activities are expected to intensify across party structures nationwide. The primaries season in mid-2026 is likely to trigger fierce internal contests, strategic alliances, and realignments within major political parties.
