The National Assembly disclosed on Sunday that it would reconvene its plenary session on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, shortening its recess amid reports that lawmakers may review the date set for the 2027 presidential election.
According to our correspondent’s findings, the National Assembly may move the presidential election date to February 13, 2027.
Senators and members of the House of Representatives were told in a notification signed by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, to resume sitting at 11 a.m. and adapt their schedules appropriately, as “very crucial decisions” are expected to be made during the session.
“I am directed to inform all Distinguished Senators and Honourable Members of the National Assembly that the Senate and House of Representatives shall reconvene plenary session at 11:00 am on Tuesday, 17th February 2026, respectively,” the notice read.
“Consequently, all Distinguished Senators and Honourable Members are kindly requested to take note and reschedule their engagements accordingly to enable them to attend the session, as very crucial decisions shall be taken by each Chamber during the session,” Ogunlana added.
However, according to sources within the National Assembly, the public notice masks a more pressing agenda.
“It is more of an extraordinary plenary session to review the 2027 presidential election date as stipulated in the Electoral Act amendment.
“That is why our recess has been cut short through the announcement made by the Clerk of the National Assembly,” a senator confided.
“The ultimate aim is to give legislative backing to INEC’s request to address the concerns raised regarding the 2027 election slated to hold during Ramadan,” the lawmaker added.
In the same vein, a Senate source told The PUNCH: “This session is crucial. It is about more than dates—it is about ensuring that every Nigerian, regardless of faith, has a fair opportunity to participate in the electoral process. The decisions we take here could define the credibility of the 2027 elections.”
The development comes just a week after the Senate, under popular pressure, approved electronic transmission of election results to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s Result Viewing Portal while preserving human collation as a backup in cases where technology fails.
The immediate reconsideration was prompted by a controversial phrase in the Electoral Act (Repeal and Re-enactment) Amendment Bill, 2026, which sparked days of widespread protests and harsh criticism from opposition politicians, civil society organizations, and youth movements.
Despite passing the electronic transmission system, the Senate did not make it mandatory and rejected calls for real-time uploads of results—a key demand of demonstrators who accused lawmakers of eroding democratic integrity ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The updated rule requires presiding officers at polling locations to electronically communicate results to the IReV portal once voting is completed and documentation is completed.
Where electronic transmission is not possible owing to network issues, the manual result sheet, Form EC8A, will be used as the primary basis for collation and declaration.
While putting the proposal to a voice vote, Senate President Godswill Akpabio asked senators opposed to the amendment to publicly dispute it on the floor.
With plenary due to begin, lawmakers are anticipated to continue deliberations on pending bills, committee reports, and other legislative concerns, including additional work on the Electoral Act revision and associated reforms ahead of the 2027 elections.
Meanwhile, the Joint National Assembly Conference Committee, which was formed to reconcile discrepancies in the Electoral Amendment Bill enacted separately by the Senate and the House of Representatives, is scheduled to meet on Monday. The harmonized law would then be presented to President Bola Tinubu for approval.
Earlier, INEC acknowledged public concerns over the timing of the 2027 general elections, which coincide with the holy month of Ramadan, a period of fasting and spiritual reflection for millions of Nigerian Muslims.
The commission indicated that it may seek legislative intervention if necessary.
Mohammed Haruna, National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, announced the development in a statement last Friday, clarifying that the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2027 elections were developed strictly in accordance with the Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022, and INEC’s Guidelines and Regulations for the Conduct of Elections, 2022.
According to the statement, INEC had planned to hold presidential and National Assembly elections on Saturday, February 20, 2027, and gubernatorial and state Houses of Assembly elections on Saturday, March 6, 2027.
However, the Muslim Rights Concern and other Islamic stakeholders opposed the proposed timeline, claiming that it conflicts with the Ramadan fasting period, which they believe is inconsiderate to Muslim voters, election officials, and observers.
Atiku Abubakar, the former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, was one of the prominent voices advocating for reconsideration.
On his official X handle last Friday, Atiku said the February 20 date falls “squarely within the Ramadan period (February 7–March 8, 2027), a sacred season of fasting, reflection, and spiritual devotion for millions of Nigerian Muslims.”
In reaction, INEC acknowledged the concerns, assuring the public that it remains sensitive to legitimate considerations that may affect electoral participation and the overall conduct of elections.
“Notwithstanding the foregoing, the commission has taken due notice of concerns expressed by stakeholders regarding the coincidence of the scheduled dates with certain nationally recognized holidays and observances.
“The commission wishes to assure the public that it remains sensitive to all legitimate concerns that may impact electoral participation and the overall conduct of elections.
“In view of these representations, the commission is currently undertaking consultations and may, where necessary, seek appropriate legislative intervention to address the concerns raised, while ensuring that any adjustment remains consistent with constitutional and statutory requirements,” the statement read.
The new initiative by the National Assembly builds on previous recommendations to change the timetable of the 2027 elections.
In October of last year, lawamakers proposed conducting the elections in November 2026, some six months earlier than usual, to ensure that all election petitions were completed before the May 29, 2027, deadline.
The draft amendment, unveiled during a public hearing organized by the Senate and House Committees on Electoral Matters in Abuja, read, “Elections into the office of the President and Governor of a State shall be held not later than 185 days before the expiration of the term of office of the last holder of the office.”
Adebayo Balogun, Chairman of the House Committee on Electoral Matters, stated that the measure was intended to “ensure that all manner of election litigations are dispensed with before the swearing in of winners.”
The National Assembly also proposed amending sections 285 and 139 of the 1999 Constitution to shorten the timeline for election petitions, reduce tribunal judgments from 180 to 90 days and appellate court decisions from 90 to 60 days, and ensure that the entire judicial process does not last more than 185 days.
Other major ideas included early voting for security officers, INEC workers, accredited journalists, and observers at least 14 days before the election.
Stakeholders, including INEC, represented by Prof. Abdullahi Zuru, backed the reforms, notably the push for electronic voting and mandatory e-transmission of results, describing them as important to improving legitimacy and decreasing post-election disputes.
