The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it will review the Electoral Act 2026 and issue a revised timetable for the 2027 general elections to ensure full compliance with the law.
The Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, Mr Adedayo Oketola, disclosed this in an interview, noting that the commission remains committed to operating within the legal framework.
INEC had earlier announced that the presidential and National Assembly elections would hold on February 20, 2027, while governorship and state Houses of Assembly polls were scheduled for March 6, 2027. However, the timetable sparked criticism, particularly from Muslim groups, over concerns that the dates could clash with Ramadan.
Amid the controversy, the National Assembly passed the Electoral Act 2026, reducing the mandatory notice period for elections from 360 days to 300 days. The amendment is expected to give INEC more flexibility in fixing dates for the 2027 elections.
Legal experts have insisted that the commission must issue a fresh timetable reflecting the new law. Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, said a revised timetable was mandatory, stressing that once a new law takes effect, it supersedes previous provisions.
Another constitutional lawyer warned that failure to align the timetable with the amended Act could trigger pre-election litigation, as election schedules are legal instruments derived directly from statutory provisions.
A senior official of the All Progressives Congress (APC) also said the party expected INEC to act quickly to avoid running afoul of the new law.
Political parties have equally called for clarity to enable them to plan their primaries and other internal processes. The National Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Bolaji Abdullahi, urged INEC to release a revised timetable promptly and involve stakeholders in the process.
The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) also asked the commission to move swiftly, warning that tight deadlines could disrupt party preparations. Similarly, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said the timetable must align with the new Electoral Act to ensure proper preparation.
Meanwhile, the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) opposed calls to alter election dates on religious grounds. The group warned that adjusting the timetable because of Ramadan could undermine Nigeria’s secular status.
PFN National Secretary, Bishop David Bakare, said elections should remain civic exercises and not be influenced by religious considerations, urging political leaders to uphold constitutional provisions defining Nigeria as a secular state.
INEC said the matter was under review and assured stakeholders that a revised timetable would be released after examining the new law.
