INEC sets 2027 presidential poll for Feb 20, reveals date for others
Election, INEC ballot box
Abdullateef Fowewe
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled Nigeria’s 2027 general elections with a dramatic twist, fixing February 20 for the presidential and National Assembly races, followed by governorship and state assembly elections on March 6.
This reverses the traditional “bottom-up” sequence, prioritising federal contests first amid ongoing amendments to the Electoral Act.
INEC Chairman Professor Joash Amupitan defended the timeline during a briefing, stressing strict constitutional compliance, upgrades to the voter register using advanced technology, and calls for stakeholder collaboration to ensure transparency.
Criticism erupted immediately over the governorship date, which coincides with the 27th day of Ramadan—starting February 8, 2027.
Muslim groups and citizens, representing over half of Nigeria’s population, slammed the choice as disrespectful and potentially suppressive, arguing that fasting could dampen voter turnout in key states.
“This is not just insensitive; it’s a recipe for chaos in a diverse nation,” said a spokesperson for a northern Muslim coalition, highlighting logistical headaches and ballooning costs from the staggered polls.
INEC insists the dates align with legal mandates and aim for a credible process, but the backlash underscores deepening religious and political tensions ahead of the 2027 polls.
