**2027 Elections: New Dates Unveiled for Presidential, Governorship Polls** In a significant development, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released a revised timetable for the 2027 general elections. Nigerians will now go to the polls on January 16 to choose their next President, while the National Assembly elections will also hold on the same day. Just a few weeks later, on February 6, Nigerians will elect their governors and members of the House of Assembly. The changes come after a one-week shift in the Osun governorship poll date, now set for August 15. INEC's Chairman of Information and Voter Education Committee, Mallam Mohammed Kudu Haruna, explained that the new dates are in compliance with the Electoral Act 2026, which took effect on February 19. The law introduced changes to the statutory timelines governing pre-election and electoral activities, prompting INEC to realign its schedule. The new timetable marks a significant shift from the earlier announced dates, which had slated the presidential and governorship/House of Assembly elections for March 6. However, those dates coincided with Ramadan, prompting concerns and complaints from various stakeholders. INEC had been in a fix, but the passage of the Electoral Act 2026 provided a solution. The new dates also bring clarity to the electoral timeline, with party primaries commencing on April 23 and ending on May 30. Presidential and National Assembly campaigns will begin on August 19, while governorship and state Houses of Assembly campaigns will kick off on September 9. Campaigns will end 24 hours before election day, as required by law. With the revised timetable in place, political parties are advised to adhere strictly to the new deadlines. INEC has vowed to enforce compliance with the law, emphasizing the importance of respecting the statutory timelines. As Nigerians look forward to the 2027 elections, the new dates provide a sense of certainty and clarity, allowing parties and stakeholders to focus on the electoral process.