Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed a viral social media graphic claiming it revised the campaign timetable for the 2027 general elections, describing the document as false and urging Nigerians to rely only on official sources for election information. The commission said it has not released any separate campaign timetable and that the circulating graphic did not originate from INEC.
The fake graphic claimed that campaigns for the presidential and National Assembly elections would end on Jan. 15, 2027, instead of Jan. 14, while campaigns for governorship and state House of Assembly elections would close on Feb. 5 rather than Feb. 4. Responding to the reports, INEC Chairman’s Chief Press Secretary, Adedayo Oketola, said all campaign dates are already contained in the revised timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general elections released on Feb. 26, 2026. Under the official schedule, campaigns for the presidential and National Assembly elections will run from Aug. 19, 2026, to Jan. 14, 2027, while governorship and state assembly campaigns will begin on Sept. 9, 2026, and end on Feb. 4, 2027.
Oketola called on journalists, political parties and the public to verify election-related information through INEC’s official communication channels, warning that misinformation and disinformation often increase during election periods. Election experts say false information can confuse voters, undermine confidence in the electoral process and create unnecessary political tension as campaigning intensifies ahead of the polls.
Nigeria’s 2027 general elections are scheduled for Jan. 16, 2027, for the presidential and National Assembly polls, with governorship and state House of Assembly elections to follow on Feb. 6, 2027. As Africa’s most populous democracy, Nigeria’s elections are closely watched by regional and international observers, making the accuracy of electoral information critical to maintaining public trust and ensuring a credible electoral process.
