A fresh bid by the National Assembly to shift the 2027 presidential and governorship elections to November 2026 has divided opposition parties.
While some described it as an attempt to extend President Bola Tinubu’s stay in office, others agreed it could strengthen Nigeria’s electoral system if properly implemented.
The proposal, part of sweeping amendments to the 2022 Electoral Act, seeks to move the elections forward by about six months to allow all pre- and post-election litigations to be concluded before the May 29, 2027, handover date.
It is scaled through; the presidential and governorship elections would be conducted in November 2026, instead of the traditional February or March date.
The proposal forms part of the draft amendments to the 2022 Electoral Act, which stipulate that elections for both offices must be held no later than 185 days before the expiration of the incumbent’s tenure on May 29.
An analysis of the timeline shows that counting 185 days backward from May 29, 2027, places the proposed election date in November 2026, roughly six months earlier than the current schedule.
Lawmakers said the adjustment would end the practice of swearing in elected officials whose victories are still subject to court disputes.
The proposal follows a similar move in July when lawmakers began pushing for constitutional amendments to allow all elections – presidential, governorship, National Assembly, and state assembly — to hold the same day in 2027. Nigerians eligible for early voting, according to the proposal, include security personnel, officials of the electoral commission, accredited observers,If passed, the amendment also imposes penalties for failure to comply.
While the proposal has received backing from INEC, which described it as a step toward greater transparency and efficiency in the electoral process, opposition parties remain divided over its motive and potential impact.
“The move is ill-timed and not in the best interest of Nigerians. What Nigerians want in the Electoral Amendment is for the BVAS to be constitutionally enabled to be part of the process and for election results to be transmitted in real time.’’
Punch/Halima Abdulganiyu
