The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that the Presidential and National Assembly elections will hold on February 20, 2027, while Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will take place on March 6, 2027.
By Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022, INEC is mandated to publish the notice of election not later than 360 days before the date appointed for the election.
But in eight states, including Anambra, Bayelsa, Edo, Ekiti, Imo, Kogi, Ondo, and Osun, the tenure of the President, the Vice-President, the Governors, and Deputy Governors of the other states will end in 2027.
According to Prof. Amupitan, “Pursuant to Section 76(2), 116(2), 132(2), and 178(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, elections to the said offices shall hold not earlier than 150 days, and not later than 30 days, before the expiration of the term of office of the holders.”
“By virtue of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, the tenure of the President, the Vice-President, the Governors, and Deputy Governors of states of the Federation, except Anambra State, Bayasa State, Edo States, Ekiti States, Imo State, Ogi, Kondo, and National States, will expire on the 28th day of May, 2027,” the INEC Chairman said.
He added that, “membership of the National and State Assemblies will stand dissolved on the 8th day of June, 2021.”
In reaffirming INEC’s independence, the Chairman stated: “Let me reiterate that the authority and power to publish the date of election is that of the Independent National Electoral Commission.”
He explained that “The detailed timetable and schedule of activities have been uploaded to the Commission’s website this morning, and have been circulated to registered political parties and relevant stakeholders.”
