The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially released its revised election timetable.
In the revised election timetable, INEC scheduled the commencement of party primaries for April 23, 2026.
This announcement follows the recent enactment of the Electoral Act 2026, which necessitated a total overhaul of previous schedules to accommodate new statutory timelines and avoid clashes with religious observances.
This was contained in a statement issued on Thursday, and signed by the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Malam Mohammed Kudu Haruna.
“The Commission had earlier fixed Saturday, 20th February 2027, for the Presidential and National Assembly Elections and Saturday, March 6, 2027, for the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly Elections.
“Following the repeal of the Electoral Act, 2022 and the enactment of the Electoral Act, 2026… the Commission has reviewed and realigned the Schedule to ensure full compliance with the new legal framework,” Haruna noted.
Gov Polls Now Feb 6
According to the revised timetable, the presidential and National Assembly elections will now be held on Saturday, January 16, 2027, while the governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections are scheduled for Saturday, February 6, 2027.
Party Primaries
The Commission also outlined key milestones leading up to the polls.
Party primaries, including the resolution of disputes arising from them, will run from April 23 to May 30, 2026.
Campaigns for presidential and National Assembly candidates will begin on August 19, 2026, while governorship and state assembly campaigns will commence on September 9, 2026.
“As provided by law, campaigns shall end 24 hours before Election Day. Political parties are strongly advised to adhere strictly to these timelines. The Commission will enforce compliance with the law,” Haruna stated.
INEC added that the revised timetable was consistent with the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the Electoral Act, 2026, and had been published on its official platforms.
The adjustment of the INEC 2026 election timetable has sparked intense debate among political stakeholders.
While the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has expressed its readiness to comply, citing its recent successful membership drives, several opposition parties have voiced concerns over the “tight window” provided for internal democracy.
Nigerians have begun to question the readiness of many opposition parties, like the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the African Democratic Congress (ADC), and the Labour Party, among others.
Many have pointed out that the April 23 start date leaves little room for resolving internal fractiousness.
“The timeline is incredibly demanding,” noted a party member of the PDP who spoke with Pan-Atlantic Kompass. “Moving the primaries to April means parties must conclude membership registration and delegate selection in just a matter of weeks.”
Under the revised election timetable, INEC mandated political parties to submit their register of members between April 1 and April 21, 2026.
This means parties have a five-week-plus window from now to organize their membership register in what could be highly competitive and contentious processes.
Analysts note that while the ruling APC appears better positioned due to its internal cohesion and resources, several opposition parties, such as the PDP, Labour Party, and others, face ongoing internal crises, leadership tussles, and funding challenges that could hinder effective participation.
Concerns about opposition readiness have intensified, with observers noting that many parties are still grappling with membership registration updates, candidate screening mechanisms, and dispute-resolution frameworks.
The PDP is currently grappling with two factions. The faction led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki and the faction loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike. The party is also in court over the legitimacy of the National Convention that was held in Ibadan, Oyo State, last year.
Similarly, the Labour Party continues to grapple with a protracted leadership crisis that has seen factional battles between the Julius Abure camp and the Nenadi Usman-led group dominate headlines.
While a recent court ruling has led to INEC removing Abure’s name from its official portal as National Chairman, accusations of document looting and secretariat takeovers have persisted.
Despite claims from the Usman faction that the crisis is now behind them and INEC’s recognition of their leadership, disputes and multiple court cases have lingered.
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.
Below are some other reactions from Nigerians;
