Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed reports circulating on social media claiming it revised the campaign timetable for the 2027 general elections, describing the information as false and urging Nigerians to rely only on information published through its official channels. The clarification follows the circulation of a graphic online that purportedly outlined revised campaign dates for the presidential, National Assembly, governorship, and state Houses of Assembly elections, which the commission said did not originate from its offices.
The viral graphic alleged that campaigns for the presidential and National Assembly elections would end on January 15, 2027, instead of January 14 as contained in the commission’s official timetable, while governorship and state assembly campaigns would close on February 5, 2027, rather than February 4. It retained January 16, 2027, as the date for the presidential and National Assembly elections and February 6, 2027, for the governorship and state assembly polls. The graphic also claimed that campaigns could only begin 150 days before an election and must end 24 hours before polling day, provisions already contained in the Electoral Act 2026.
Reacting to the claim, the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Adedayo Oketola, told TheCable on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, that the commission had not issued any separate campaign timetable. He explained that all campaign dates are already contained in the revised timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general election released earlier this year. "This graphic did not emanate from INEC. The Commission does not issue campaign timetables separately. All official campaign timelines are already contained within the revised timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general election, which was released on February 26, 2026," Oketola said.
Oketola urged journalists, political stakeholders, and members of the public to verify election-related information through the commission's official communication channels, including its website and verified social media handles. He warned that as the election season approaches, everyone must remain vigilant against the spread of misinformation and disinformation. "We advise the media and the public to always verify electoral information through our official channels. As we enter the election season, we must all remain vigilant against the spread of misinformation and disinformation," he added.
INEC released its revised timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general election in February 2026, fixing January 16, 2027, for the presidential and National Assembly elections and February 6, 2027, for the governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections. According to the official timetable, political parties are expected to begin campaigns for the presidential and National Assembly elections on August 19, 2026, while campaigns for governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections will commence on September 9, 2026. The timetable also provides that campaigns for the presidential and National Assembly elections will end on January 14, 2027, while those for the governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections will close on February 4, 2027, exactly 24 hours before polling day.
The commission's timetable, which was issued following the enactment of the Electoral Act 2026, replaced the earlier election schedule initially proposed by INEC. Under the Electoral Act 2026, political campaigns may only commence 150 days before the date of an election, and all campaigns must end 24 hours before polling day. Political parties, candidates, and supporters are prohibited from commencing campaigns before the officially approved dates, and INEC has indicated that violations may attract appropriate sanctions. All stakeholders are encouraged to comply fully with the approved timetable to ensure a peaceful, credible, and lawful electoral process.
The presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for January 16, 2027, while the governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections will be held on February 6, 2027. The commission's timetable also provides for the issuance of the notice of election on February 13, 2026, as the first official activity in the electoral calendar. The revised timetable aligns with the Electoral Act 2026, which President Bola Tinubu signed into law following its passage by the National Assembly. The new law necessitated a complete review of the previously announced election dates, bringing forward the presidential and National Assembly polls to January 2027.
The dismissal of the viral graphic comes amid heightened public interest in the 2027 elections, with political parties already positioning themselves for the contest. The opposition has raised concerns over the credibility of the electoral process, but INEC has repeatedly assured Nigerians of its commitment to delivering free, fair, and transparent elections. The commission has also emphasized the importance of accurate information in the run-up to the polls, warning that fake news and disinformation could undermine public confidence in the electoral process.
As the official campaign period draws closer, political parties and candidates are expected to begin public campaigns, including rallies, media advertisements, voter engagement, and grassroots mobilisation, from August 19, 2026, for the presidential and National Assembly elections, and from September 9, 2026, for the governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections. With the election season fast approaching, INEC has made it clear that the official timetable remains unchanged, and any information suggesting otherwise should be treated as false and disregarded.
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