Says campaign dates remain as contained in the February schedule
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed reports circulating on social media claiming it revised the campaign timetable for the 2027 general elections.
The commission said the graphic making the rounds online, which purportedly showed new campaign closing dates, was false and did not originate from INEC.
The viral graphic claimed that campaigns for the presidential and National Assembly elections would now end on January 15, 2027, instead of January 14, while campaigns for governorship and state House of Assembly elections would end on February 5, 2027, instead of February 4.
It, however, 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.
INEC Denies Issuing New Timetable
Reacting to the report, the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Adedayo Oketola, said the commission had not released any separate campaign timetable,” PUNCH Online reports.
He described the circulating graphic as fake and urged the public to rely only on information released through the commission’s official channels.
“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.
“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,” Oketola said.
Official Timetable Unchanged
INEC had on February 26, 2026, released the revised timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general elections.
According to the timetable, presidential and National Assembly campaigns will begin on August 19, 2026, while governorship and state House of Assembly campaigns will commence on September 9, 2026.
The commission also fixed January 14, 2027, as the closing date for presidential and National Assembly campaigns, while governorship and state assembly campaigns will end on February 4, 2027, exactly 24 hours before the respective elections.
The presidential and National Assembly elections remain scheduled for January 16, 2027, while governorship and state House of Assembly elections will be held on February 6, 2027.
Source: Adapted from Punch.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.