National Assembly To Announce New Date For Presidential Election.

 

The National Assembly will end its recess early and reconvene plenary on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, to discuss the possibility of changing the date of the 2027 presidential election. 

The current plan under the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) schedules the poll for February 20, 2027, but lawmakers are considering moving it forward to February 13.

A notice from the Clerk of the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, instructed senators and House members to resume sessions at 11:00 am, signaling that important decisions will be made. 

While the official message did not specify the agenda, sources within the National Assembly revealed that the focus is on adjusting the election date to avoid clashing with Ramadan, a period when millions of Nigerian Muslims observe fasting.

The early plenary comes shortly after the Senate approved electronic transmission of election results to INEC’s portal, keeping manual collation as a backup. 

The move followed nationwide protests and criticism over the Electoral Act (Repeal and Re-enactment) Amendment Bill, 2026, which triggered debates about the timing and fairness of the elections. 

Lawmakers aim to ensure that the electoral process allows full participation by all Nigerians, regardless of faith.

INEC had initially scheduled the presidential and National Assembly elections for February 20, 2027, and state elections for March 6.

 Muslim advocacy groups and some political figures raised concerns, saying the dates coincide with Ramadan, making it difficult for voters, election staff, and observers to participate fully. INEC acknowledged these concerns and indicated that legislative adjustments might be necessary to accommodate religious observances.