Ramadan: National Assembly, INEC Move 2027 Elections, To Propose New Date
The National Assembly and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have reportedly agreed to move the 2027 presidential election to January 16, 2027.
The decision follows a dramatic reversal of the earlier February 20 date that sparked nationwide controversy, multiple top sources have confirmed.
According to insiders within the electoral body and federal legislature, governorship elections, earlier slated for March 6, 2027, are also set to be brought forward to January 30, 2027.
The development comes just hours after both chambers of the National Assembly abruptly suspended harmonisation of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill and announced an emergency plenary session scheduled for Tuesday, February 17, 2026.
A senior INEC official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to PUNCH because he was not authorised to brief the media, disclosed that extensive consultations had taken place between the commission and the leadership of the legislature.
“After several meetings, both sides agreed that the February date is no longer tenable. The new proposal now on the table is January 16 for the presidential election and January 30 for the governorship polls,” the source said.
A ranking senator separately confirmed the shift but cautioned that the proposal would still be subjected to debate on the floor.
“That is the working proposal. But until it is formally adopted, it remains subject to change,” the lawmaker said.
INEC had initially fixed February 20, 2027, for presidential and National Assembly elections, with governorship and state assembly polls scheduled for March 6.
However, the February date immediately drew criticism from Muslim groups and political stakeholders because it falls within the 2027 Ramadan period, projected to run from February 7 to March 8.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar publicly criticised the timing, warning that conducting elections during the fasting period could suppress voter turnout among Muslims.
Former presidential aide Bashir Ahmad also urged INEC to reconsider, arguing that meaningful participation could be affected during a period traditionally devoted to fasting and spiritual reflection.
Over the weekend, lawmakers were reportedly considering February 13 as a compromise. However, fresh consultations appear to have produced a more drastic adjustment, pushing the polls into January altogether.
If approved, January 16 would rank among the earliest presidential election dates in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic.
In a notice signed by Clerk to the National Assembly Kamoru Ogunlana, senators and members of the House of Representatives were directed to reconvene at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday for what was described as a session to take “very crucial decisions.”
Although the official notice did not disclose the agenda, insiders confirmed that reconsideration of the 2027 election timetable was the primary trigger for the sudden recall from recess.
The conference committee meeting scheduled for Monday to harmonise differences in the Electoral Act Amendment Bill was consequently suspended.
Sada Soli, a member of the House conference committee, confirmed that the harmonisation process was put on hold due to the emergency plenary. Another member, Iduma Igariwey, also acknowledged the postponement.
A Senate source said lawmakers would first resolve the politically sensitive issue of election dates before returning to other contentious provisions in the amendment
Hafsoh Isiaq is a graduate of Linguistics. An avid writer committed to creative, high-quality research and news reportage. She has considerable experience in writing and reporting across a variety of platforms including print and online.
