2027 Elections: Political Parties Express Readiness As INEC Releases Timetable

Follow timetable, conduct credible primaries, commission tells parties

By Ademu Idakwo, James Kwen, Hellen Onyemowo Foster, Abuja

As reactions continue to trail the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s release of the official timetable for the 2027 general elections, the development has prompted immediate responses from political parties, many of which have declared readiness to commence preparations in line with the new schedule.

According to the timetable, the presidential and National Assembly elections are fixed for Saturday, February 20, 2027, while the governorship and State House of Assembly elections will be held on Saturday, March 6, 2027.

INEC also announced that campaigns for the presidential and National Assembly elections would run from November 18, 2026, to February 19, 2027, while campaign activities for the governorship and State House of Assembly elections would run from December 15, 2026, to March 5, 2027, ending 24 hours before Election Day.

The chairman of the Commission, Professor Joash Amupitan, called on political parties to follow the timetable and conduct credible primaries.

He said: “In accordance with the approved Timetable and Schedule of Activities, party primaries will be conducted within the statutory period stipulated by law.

“Submission of nomination forms by political parties will commence and close within the designated window as provided in the Schedule.

“Campaigns by political parties shall commence on the date specified by law and end 24 hours before Election Day.

“Let me reiterate that INEC is an independent body. We are guided solely by the Constitution, the Electoral Act, and our Regulations and Guidelines. We shall continue to act impartially, transparently, and professionally in the discharge of our duties.

He called on all political parties to conduct peaceful and credible primaries, to shun violence and inflammatory rhetoric, and to uphold internal democracy.

He equally appealed to candidates, supporters, and the electorate to conduct themselves peacefully throughout the electoral cycle.

“The success of the 2027 General Elections is a collective responsibility. Government institutions, security agencies, the media, civil society organisations, and indeed all Nigerians must play their respective roles.

“As we commence this important national exercise, I assure Nigerians that the Commission is fully prepared and determined to deliver elections that reflect the sovereign will of the people.

“In conclusion, I urge all political parties, candidates, and citizens to begin preparing for this pivotal moment in our democracy. Let us work together to ensure that the electoral process is peaceful, inclusive, and reflective of the will of the Nigerian people,” he added.

2027 ELECTION TIMETABLE

Campaigns for presidential and National Assembly elections–Nov.18, 2026 to Feb. 19, 2027

Campaigns for governorship and state assembly elections–Dec.15, 2026 to March 5, 2027

Presidential and National Assembly elections–Feb. 20, 2027

Governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections–Mar.6, 2027

ADC Demands Clarity on Electronic Transmission

Reacting to the development, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) said that as much as it welcomes INEC’s timetable, the party urged the Commission to give Nigerians clear assurances on the real-time electronic transmission of results.

In a statement issued by its national publicity secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said the credibility of the polls would depend not just on the timetable but on transparent processes.

It called on INEC to outline concrete safeguards against manipulation and on the National Assembly to pass a binding legal framework to remove ambiguity around real-time electronic transmission.

He said, “We welcome the early release of the timetable, which provides political parties, stakeholders, and the Nigerian electorate with the needed clarity for long-term planning and democratic preparation.

“However, the credibility of the 2027 general elections will ultimately not be judged by the timeliness of the timetable alone, but by the Commission’s demonstrable commitment to transparency, technological integrity, and strict adherence to due process throughout the electoral cycle.

“Of particular importance is the question of real-time electronic transmission of results. While the Commission has indicated that it will operate within the ambit of the law, the current Electoral Act still leaves procedural discretion in critical areas that directly affect public confidence.”

In his recent engagement with the media, the INEC chairman acknowledged the Commission’s technological capacity to deploy electronic transmission and affirmed that the Commission will continue to use technology in the conduct of elections.

The ADC urged INEC to provide early and unambiguous clarity to Nigerians on its readiness to adopt real-time electronic transmission of results should the necessary legal amendments be enacted.

“Beyond this, the Commission should clearly outline the specific guardrails, both manual and electronic, that will be deployed to safeguard the integrity of results management and prevent any recurrence of the irregularities that have troubled recent off-cycle elections.

“The ADC also reiterates its call on the National Assembly to urgently pass a binding legislative framework that removes ambiguity around electronic transmission of results and strengthens the legal architecture for transparent elections.

“Nigerians have shown, time and again, that they are ready to defend the sanctity of their votes. What is now required is for the electoral umpire to match that civic vigilance with institutional clarity, operational transparency, and administrative excellence,” it said

The party added that as one committed to democratic deepening and credible elections, the ADC will continue to engage constructively with INEC, the National Assembly, and all relevant stakeholders to ensure that the 2027 elections reflect the true will of the Nigerian people.

PDP, Labour Party Camps React

As the legal battles within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party are yet to abate, the warring camps in these parties have reflected varied measures of confidence ahead of the election based on the released timetable.

While the Kabiru Tanimu Turaki-led PDP appeared cautious of INEC’s guarantee of free and fair polls, the national caretaker committee backed by the FCT minister, Nyesom Wike, was more confident of its readiness for the polls.

The national publicity secretary of the Turaki-backed PDP, Comrade Ini Ememobong, told LEADERSHIP Weekend that the party was ready for the election as long as INEC keeps its end of the bargain.

He said, “Whenever INEC is ready for the elections, the PDP will be ready, provided that it can guarantee free, fair, credible elections.”

Similarly, the caretaker National Working Committee of the PDP said it was fully prepared to meet all constitutional and regulatory requirements within the stipulated timelines.

The national publicity secretary of the PDP caretaker committee, Hon. Jungudo Haruna Mohammed, however, reassured its members, particularly those aspiring to contest elective offices, that all internal party disputes and pending litigations involving the party were being diligently pursued and are expected to be conclusively resolved well ahead of the window provided for political parties to conduct their primaries.

Mohammed further urged all aspirants to remain calm, focused, prepared, and guided by subsequent directives from the leadership of their great party.

“The PDP further reassures Nigerians of its readiness to offer credible leadership and a clear alternative anchored on good governance, accountability, national peace and unity, and sustainable development for our great nation.”

In the Labour Party, the Julius Abure-led faction said the outcome of its appeal against a recent Federal High Court judgment which recognised the Senator Nenadi Usman-led national executive would determine its preparedness for the election.

The national publicity secretary of the Abure camp, Obiora Ifoh, told LEADERSHIP Weekend that the party was focused on its pending Appeal Court case, which seeks to overturn the lower court’s recognition of the other camp.

Reacting to INEC’s timetable, Ifoh, whose camp has been critical of INEC’s stance on its party’s internal tussle, said, “They will tell us when they are ready; then we will go for the appeal. By God’s grace, if we’re able to get the judgment, we’ll continue from anywhere INEC wants us to continue.”

“For over a year, the secretariat has faced threats from groups linked to the Abia State government, the Nigeria Labour Congress, and a self-styled ‘Labour Party Stakeholders’ coalition,” he said.

He also stated that the faction had petitioned the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), accusing officers of “unlawfully taking sides with Senator Usman” and aiding the illegal occupation.

Ifoh stressed that confronting “eight trucks of government police” would be “suicidal” and said complaints had been lodged with the IGP and the National Security Adviser.

“Until the appellate court rules, the party will remain on standby. We are law-abiding people; we cannot force ourselves into the office, where the other factions are already occupying with the help of the police,” Ifoh added.

We’ll act according to the timetable – SDP

In its response, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) said it will study and structure its plans in line with the schedule.

The national publicity secretary of SDP, Araba Rufus Ayeneigba, said, “We know every political party is waiting for INEC to release a guideline that will help us to structure our activities. So we will study and structure our plans according to the schedule. No one has been able to meet the assumption or preempt whatever INEC will release before now.

“But we have our systems in place. What we need to do now is study and align our activities with the INEC timetable.

“And very soon we will release our party schedule in line with the timetable. After our NWC meeting in February,  we will make a formal release of our electoral activities for 2027,” he said.

We’re ready, NNPP says

The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) said it is ready for the election.

The national publicity secretary of NNPP, Ladipo Johnson, told LEADERSHIP Weekend, “I haven’t looked at it, though. I just know INEC has released the timetable, but I have not gone through it. So, I can just tell you anything about it now.

“But the NNPP is ready. We’re moving ahead with our strategies towards the 2027 elections. Now that the timetable has been released, it will help us to focus better and get prepared,” he said.

CSOs Raise Reform Concerns

Also reacting to the development, Yiaga Africa said the release of the timetable signalled that the country has formally entered the electoral cycle for what will be one of the most consequential elections in its democratic history.

Speaking with LEADERSHIP Weekend, the executive director of Yiaga Africa, Samson Itodo, said, “I welcome the release of the timetable. In recent weeks, we have consistently expressed concern over delays in the conclusion of amendments to the Electoral Act and its impact on the release of the election timetable. I commend INEC for responding to these concerns and releasing the timetable without further delay.”

He said the announcement provides the clarity and certainty needed to commence preparations in earnest, noting, however, that the release of the timetable is only the first step in a long electoral cycle.

Itodo said the integrity of the 2027 elections will ultimately depend on the full implementation of the Electoral Act and INEC regulations and guidelines, clear regulations and operational guidelines on electronic transmission and collation of results, and transparency in procurement, logistics planning, and technology deployment.

He added that the credibility of the polls will also depend on effective coordination with security agencies to guarantee a safe electoral environment.

“As the National Assembly concludes its passage of the Electoral Amendment Bill, it is imperative that the final output does not undermine the certainty and predictability already established by the timetable,” Itodo added.

For their part, the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) expressed concerns over the delays in passing the amended Electoral Act, which could compress critical deadlines for voter registration, party primaries, notice of elections, and campaign windows.

Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, executive director of CISLAC and chairman of TMG, in an interview with LEADERSHIP Weekend, called on INEC to coordinate closely with the National Assembly to ensure the statute is finalised.

While raising concerns over the ongoing early campaigning, he said: “Politicians are already engaging in pre-official campaigning, which could distort the official campaign period and put INEC on the back foot in enforcing the law.

“INEC should publicly clarify enforcement mechanisms and hold political parties accountable to the statutory campaign window. TMG and CISLAC emphasise that credibility lies not only in logistics but in process transparency.

“Ensuring electoral materials, timelines, and enforcement regimes are accessible and understandable to the public will improve confidence. Engagement with CSOs, media, and citizen education campaigns should be part of broader electoral reform issues.

“This is why CISLAC and TMG have advocated for comprehensive electoral reforms, including result transmission technology, penalties for electoral malpractice, and voter education. These are critical beyond just the timetable issued by INEC.

“CISLAC suggests that INEC must guard against misinformation, ensure legal clarity, and release a clear, official timetable when appropriate to align with the electoral reform law being amended.

“We suggest that both institutional planning and public communication will be critical to avoid the lapses seen in past elections,” Rafsanjani added.