Nigeria’s political landscape has been thrust into intense debate following the recent passage and assent of the Electoral Act 2026, which has prompted strong reactions from opposition parties and led the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to revise its electoral calendar for the 2027 general elections. The adjustments introduced by lawmakers in the new Act, which repeals the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022, have generated widespread discussion on the implications for electoral fairness, timelines, and the conduct of political campaigns across the country.
In response to public concerns, particularly from Muslim communities regarding a conflict between the previously proposed election dates and the observance of Ramadan, INEC has formally rescheduled the 2027 general elections. Presidential and National Assembly elections will now take place on January 16, 2027, while Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections are slated for February 6, 2027. This marks a notable shift from the earlier schedule under the Electoral Act 2022, which had set February 20 for the presidential and National Assembly polls and March 6 for the state-level elections.
The commission explained that the revisions were necessary to align with the statutory timelines and procedural requirements outlined in the newly enacted Electoral Act 2026. Mohammed Haruna, INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, confirmed that the changes were made to ensure full compliance with the legal framework and to accommodate the adjustments made to pre-election activities, party primaries, and campaign schedules. Under the new timetable, party primaries, including the resolution of any disputes arising from them, are scheduled to commence on April 23, 2026, and conclude on May 30, 2026. Presidential and National Assembly campaigns will begin on August 19, 2026, while Governorship and State Houses of Assembly campaigns are set to commence on September 9, 2026. The Osun State Governorship election, previously fixed for August 8, 2026, has been rescheduled to August 15, 2026, to accommodate the revised election timeline.
While INEC has sought to implement the new timetable in line with the Electoral Act 2026, opposition political parties have raised significant objections to the law itself. Leaders from parties such as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) have described the Electoral Act 2026 as rushed and anti-democratic, alleging that it was deliberately designed to favor the ruling party in the upcoming elections. At a press briefing, opposition figures, including prominent politicians and party chairmen, called on the National Assembly to revisit and amend the Act to remove provisions they consider objectionable.
Among the key points of contention is the restriction imposed by the 2026 Act on party primaries. Whereas the Electoral Act 2022 permitted parties to conduct direct primaries involving all registered members, indirect primaries through delegates, or consensus arrangements, the new law limits parties to only direct primaries and consensus methods. Opposition leaders have argued that this narrowing of options undermines internal party democracy and constrains the ability of parties to freely select candidates. Additionally, they have raised concerns over the shortening of campaign periods and the alteration of funding release timelines for INEC, now set at six months before elections rather than twelve, which they claim could compromise the preparedness and efficiency of electoral administration.
A particularly controversial provision is found in Section 60(3) of the Electoral Act 2026, which grants discretionary powers to presiding officers during elections. Opposition leaders argue that this provision could override the electronic transmission of results from polling units to the central results portal, providing room for manipulation under the guise of network failure. They cited past performance data showing that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), which operates offline when necessary, has achieved over 90 percent success in transmitting results nationwide. Coupled with the Nigerian Communications Commission’s report indicating more than 95 percent 2G coverage across the country, opposition parties assert that the rationale for wide discretionary powers is unfounded.
The opposition has also criticized the recent Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory, describing them as a “test run” for potential manipulation in the 2027 general elections. They highlighted discrepancies between the number of votes recorded and the number of accredited voters in certain councils, while also noting extremely low voter turnout figures ranging from 7.2 percent to 15 percent across the councils. According to opposition leaders, these trends reflect growing public cynicism toward the electoral system and a lack of confidence in the integrity of the process.
In contrast, President Bola Tinubu has dismissed accusations that the new electoral framework or his administration seeks to suppress opposition parties. Speaking at a recent interfaith Iftar with lawmakers, the President denied allegations linking him to efforts to undermine political opponents, stressing that critics are entitled to their views but that such claims are unfounded. He emphasized the importance of national unity, the strengthening of constitutional democracy, and cooperation among political leaders despite differences, framing democracy as a tool for collaboration rather than conflict.
Meanwhile, political parties such as the ADC have begun preparations for the upcoming Osun and Ekiti governorship elections, signaling a determined effort to expand their political influence in key southwestern states. Party leaders have emphasized aggressive membership registration, voter mobilization, strategic campaign planning, and robust monitoring of polling units to ensure strong performance during the elections. Security arrangements and proactive measures have also been highlighted as priorities for the party to safeguard the integrity of its participation in the polls.
INEC, for its part, has continued to emphasize its commitment to transparency, credibility, and inclusiveness in the electoral process. Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN) has advocated for stronger collaboration with the United Nations and international partners to enhance electoral integrity, improve voter education, and address voter apathy. He outlined ongoing technological reforms, including upgrades to the Results Viewing Portal (IReV) and the cleaning of the voters’ register to remove duplicates and deceased persons, all aimed at ensuring more accurate and reliable election outcomes. The commission’s engagement with the UN also seeks to leverage global expertise and best practices to strengthen Nigeria’s democratic processes.
As Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections, the interplay between the newly enacted Electoral Act 2026, opposition concerns, and INEC’s operational adjustments will likely shape the political and electoral landscape. The ongoing debate underscores the delicate balance between statutory regulations, political interests, and the broader goals of democratic governance in the country, setting the stage for a contentious and closely monitored election season.
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