Fresh plans are underway to shift the date of the 2027 presidential election to January 16, 2027, following discussions between the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the National Assembly.
according to Punch, the new proposal would also move governorship elections to January 30, 2027.
Initially, the presidential and National Assembly elections were scheduled for February 20, 2027, with governorship elections to follow on March 6, 2027.
Sources within the electoral body and the legislature said the January dates were agreed on after a series of meetings between INEC officials and leaders of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
Although the proposal has gained ground, lawmakers are still expected to debate it before any final decision is taken.
The move came shortly after both chambers of the National Assembly suspended work on the harmonisation of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill.
Lawmakers decided to pause the process in order to attend an emergency plenary session scheduled for Tuesday, February 17, 2026, where the election timetable is expected to be discussed.
The earlier February 20 date had sparked reactions from Muslim groups and political actors because it falls within the period of Ramadan in 2027, projected to begin on February 7 and end on March 8.
Some stakeholders raised concerns about voter participation during the fasting period, leading to calls for a review of the schedule.
Over the weekend, there were indications that February 13 was being considered as an alternative date.
However, fresh consultations appear to have produced a new option that shifts the elections to January instead.
If approved, the January 16 date would make the presidential poll one of the earliest to be conducted in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic.
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