Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has formally denied circulating a timetable and schedule of activities for the country’s 2027 general elections, dismissing social media posts and online publications claiming otherwise as false and misleading. The clarification was issued in an official statement on Friday by the commission’s media team.
According to INEC, no official timetable or schedule of activities for the 2027 presidential, legislative, governorship, or state assembly elections has been released or endorsed by the electoral body. The commission described the documents circulating online as not emanating from its offices and lacking any legal or procedural basis. It stressed that such information should not be treated as authoritative or accurate.
INEC pointed to Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, which requires it to publish a notice of election not later than 360 days before a fixed election date, as the statutory framework guiding the release of official timetables. The commission said any timetable purportedly issued outside this legal window could not have originated from it.
The denial comes amid a surge of online posts alleging that specific dates and sequences of activities for the 2027 polls had been published, including deadlines for party primaries, voter registration milestones, and campaign timelines. INEC’s statement however made clear that no such schedule has been formally released, and that these documents were circulating without verification.
In rejecting the rumours, INEC said it remains committed to conducting transparent, credible, and inclusive elections and will only disseminate official electoral information through its verified communication channels. The commission urged Nigerians, the media, and political stakeholders to rely solely on information from its established platforms — including official press releases, its verified social media accounts, and formal announcements — to stay informed about electoral processes as the 2027 cycle approaches.
This clarification arrives at a time when public interest in the 2027 elections is intensifying, with political parties, civil society groups, and ordinary Nigerians increasingly engaged in discussions about electoral preparations. Calls for accurate information have grown louder as speculation and misinformation have spread rapidly online in recent weeks, driven by early political positioning and heightened anticipation.
The commission also reiterated that the official election timetable will be released in due course and strictly in accordance with constitutional requirements and the Electoral Act. This means that the formal schedule, once ready, will be published with clear dates for all statutory and preparatory activities — including voter registration exercises, party primaries, campaign periods, and the dates set for the various polls — but only when legally permissible.
Analysts note that INEC’s swift and categorical response underscores challenges faced by electoral bodies in managing the flow of information in an era where unverified reports can spread widely before official confirmation. Mistaken or unauthorised timetables, they say, can create confusion and erode public confidence if left unchallenged. The commission’s statement sought to stem such effects by calling on media organisations and citizens alike to exercise caution and verify information against official sources.
Political stakeholders across the spectrum have responded positively to the clarification, acknowledging the need for a single authoritative source of information as preparations for the 2027 polls gather pace. Representatives from several major parties have pledged to adhere strictly to official INEC announcements, emphasising the importance of orderly and lawful conduct throughout the electoral cycle.
Civil society groups and election observers have similarly welcomed INEC’s statement, urging greater public awareness campaigns to counter misinformation and bolster citizen understanding of electoral timelines and rights. Given Nigeria’s history of contentious politics and heightened public interest around election cycles, these groups highlight the importance of clear, timely, and credible communication from the electoral body.
As the political calendar advances toward 2027, stakeholders will be watching closely for the formal timetable announcement, which will signal the official start of key electoral activities. For now, however, the message from INEC is firm: no timetable has been released, and the public should disregard all unverified reports circulating in the media and on social platforms.
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