—- The commission also announced that governorship and State House of Assembly elections will follow on March 6, 2027.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially released the timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general elections, confirming that Nigeria’s presidential and National Assembly polls will take place on February 20, 2027.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Friday, INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan, dismissed earlier reports claiming the timetable had already been released days ago, describing them as misleading.

Amupitan clarified that while INEC had finalized the election schedule earlier in February, it only made formal submissions to the National Assembly of Nigeria due to ongoing considerations around amendments to the Electoral Act.

He noted that although delays in passing the amended Electoral Act could affect some activities in the timetable, the commission remains fully prepared to conduct the elections as scheduled.

INEC had earlier disclosed on February 4 that preparations were already in advanced stages, despite legislative processes still underway.

The commission also recalled that under the leadership of former INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu, general election dates had been projected decades ahead to reduce uncertainty, improve planning, and prevent logistical challenges.

According to Amupitan, the newly released timetable aligns with constitutional provisions and existing electoral laws, reaffirming INEC’s commitment to early planning, transparency, and credible elections.

Political stakeholders and civil society groups have welcomed the announcement, describing it as a step toward restoring confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process and giving parties ample time to prepare for the 2027 contest in Nigeria.