The newly appointed INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan SAN, has reiterates his commitment to free, fair and credible elections in 2027 in his New Year message to Nigerians.
In a telephone conversation with Edwin Obong Atang of Mobil Mart Newspapers, the INEC Boss reeled out the proposed timetable for 2027 elections as follows:
1. POLITICAL PARTY PRIMARIES BEGINS FROM JULY – SEPTEMBER 2026.
According to the timetable, political parties will conduct all congresses and primaries between July 1 and September 30, 2026.
During this window, parties are expected to:
✓ SELECT CANDIDATES for all elective positions.
✓ CONDUCT CONGRESSES at Ward, LGA, State, and National levels.
✓ SUBMIT THE OUTCOMES of primaries to INEC within one week
INEC emphasized strict adherence to party constitutions and the Electoral Act to avoid legal disputes.
2. SUBMISSION OF CANDIDATE LISTS BEGINS OCTOBER 2026.
Political parties will have to upload the names of their candidates and their running mates between October 1 and October 31, 2026 via INEC’s online nomination portal.
Required forms include:
✓ Form EC9 for candidates
✓ Form EC9B for running mates
Late submission will not be allowed, the INEC Boss warned.
3. PUBLICATION OF FINAL CANDIDATE LIST: NOVEMBER 15, 2026
INEC will publish the official list of contenders for:
✓ PRESIDENTIAL RACE
✓ GOVERNORSHIP SEATS
✓ NATIONAL ASSEMBLY POSITIONS
✓ STATE ASSEMBLY CONTESTS
This publication will confirm the eligible candidates and set the stage for campaign activities.
4. ELECTION CAMPAIGN ACTIVITIES WILL BEGIN IN TWO PHASES:
✓ Presidential and National Assembly campaigns begins on November 18, 2026
✓ Governorship and State Assembly campaigns begins on December 15, 2026
All campaigns must end 24 hours before election day in compliance with the law.
5. THE PROPOSED DATES BY INEC FOR 2027 ELECTIONS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
✓ SATURDAY, 20TH FEBRUARY 2027 is for Presidential & National Assembly Elections.
✓ SATURDAY 6TH MARCH, 2027 is for Governorship & State Assembly Elections:
These dates align with constitutional requirements regarding the expiration of current elected officials’ tenures.
INEC has also reaffirmed the continued use of BVAS technology and combined electronic and physical result transmission to ensure transparency.
He concluded that, the release of the 2027 election timetable signals the official start of Nigeria’s march toward another defining moment in its democracy, as INEC hopes to deliver a credible and smooth election cycle.
