The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has denied reports making the rounds on social media claiming it had revised the campaign timetable for the 2027 general elections.
According to a graphic that went viral online, the commission published the official campaign schedule for the 2027 general election in accordance with the Electoral Act.
According to the image, the presidential and National Assembly election campaigns would conclude on January 15, 2027, rather than January 14, as stated in the commission’s official schedule.
Additionally, it stated that the state House of Assembly and governorship campaigns will conclude on February 5, 2027, instead of February 4.
The purported timetable maintained January 16, 2027, as the date for the presidential and National Assembly elections and February 6, 2027, for the governorship and state assembly polls.
Reacting to the development, the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Adedayo Oketola, told the press on Wednesday that the commission had not issued any separate campaign timetable.
Oketola described the viral graphic as fake, insisting that it did not originate from the commission.
“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,” Oketola said.
He called on the media and members of the public to verify electoral information through the commission’s official communication channels.
“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,” he added.
The updated schedule of activities for the 2027 general elections was made public by INEC on February 26, 2026. The gubernatorial and state Assembly elections are set for February 6, 2027, while the presidential and National Assembly elections are set for January 16, 2027.
The schedule states that on February 13, 2026, the commission will publish the notice of election.
Additionally, the schedule states that the presidential and National Assembly campaigns would start on August 19, 2026, while the gubernatorial and state assembly campaigns will start on September 9, 2026.
Additionally, it specifies that the presidential and National Assembly campaigns will conclude on January 14, 2027, while the governorship and state House of Assembly campaigns will conclude on February 4, 2027, precisely 24 hours prior to the corresponding polls.
