Nigeria to hold presidential election in February 2027

"Joash Ojo Amupitan, the INEC chairman, also said the governorship and state legislature polls are scheduled for March 6, 2027, calling the upcoming elections a "significant milestone in (Nigeria's) democratic journey." He said the elections will cover the offices of president and vice president; governors and deputy governors (except in Anambra, Bayelsa, Edo, Ekiti, Imo, Kogi, Ondo and Osun states); and members of the Senate, the House of Representatives and state Houses of Assembly."

"Although INEC has introduced technology over the past decade to improve the integrity of election outcomes, it has had little success boosting public confidence, and post-election litigation remains commonplace. Earlier this week, the Senate, the upper house, passed an amendment authorizing the real-time electronic transmission of election results. It had initially rejected the measure in the face of popular and political pressure."

"The announcement comes as Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu faces mounting international pressure, particularly from the United States, over deteriorating security and rising jihadist attacks and kidnappings. Many Nigerians are also criticizing Tinubu's economic reforms because rampant inflation, rising costs and the plummeting value of the naira against the dollar have divided the country. The president is seeking reelection, and his supporters argue the reforms were necessary to stimulate long-term investment."

Nigeria will hold presidential and parliamentary elections on February 20, 2027. The Independent National Electoral Commission announced governorship and state legislature polls for March 6, 2027. Joash Ojo Amupitan named the specific offices to be contested and listed exceptions for governors and deputy governors in eight states. INEC has introduced technology over the past decade to improve election integrity but has struggled to boost public confidence, and post-election litigation remains common. The Senate approved real-time electronic transmission of results after initially rejecting the measure. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu faces security and economic pressures while seeking reelection; Peter Obi intends to run again.

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