Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has firmly denied reports claiming it has released an official timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general elections, describing the circulating information as false and misleading. The electoral body said the document widely shared on social media and some online platforms did not originate from the commission and should be completely disregarded by the public.
In a statement disseminated on Friday, January 2, the commission’s Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser, Adedayo Oketola, described the purported timetable being shared on various platforms as “false and misleading” and warned the public and press to disregard the information. “INEC has not released any timetable or schedule of activities for the 2027 general election,” the statement said, reiterating that the commission operates within the framework of extant law.
The clarification follows similar accounts published by major Nigerian news sources, which noted that the commission’s denial was issued in response to a widely shared document that claimed to outline milestones and dates for key election events. INEC officials emphasised that no such release had come from its official channels.
INEC anchored its position in the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 and the 1999 Constitution (as amended), especially Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act, which requires that a notice of election be published not later than 360 days before the date fixed for a general election. The commission pointed out that any timetable circulated outside this statutory window could not have originated from it.
Under Nigeria’s current constitutional framework, general elections — including the presidential, National Assembly, governorship and state assembly polls — are expected to be held every four years. Although the exact date for the 2027 poll has not been publicly fixed by INEC, legal experts and political analysts anticipate that preparatory activities will formally begin no earlier than mid-2026, consistent with constitutional and legislative deadlines. The commission has stressed that the timetable will be made available in due course through its official and verified channels.
The denial has triggered debate across social media, political forums and news comment sections, with many users voicing confusion about the timing of elections and the difference between statutory notices and administrative timetables. Critics of INEC argue that the commission should proactively engage in public education to defuse misinformation and clarify procedural timelines well ahead of statutory deadlines.
Some observers say the misinformation reflects deeper skepticism about the preparedness and transparency of Nigeria’s electoral system. Past election cycles have been marred by delays, legal challenges, and disputes over the credibility of results — factors that have heightened public interest in anything remotely tied to election administration. Whether INEC’s prompt rebuttal will stem the tide of speculation remains to be seen.
On the eve of the denial, INEC Chairman Professor Joash Amupitan reiterated the commission’s commitment to preparing for the 2027 general elections in a credible and transparent manner. In a New Year message delivered earlier this week, Amupitan highlighted the successful conduct of recent off-cycle elections — such as the Anambra State governorship poll — as evidence of institutional capacity and professionalism.
Nonetheless, electoral stakeholders continue to call for strengthened civic education and clearer communication strategies. The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has previously underscored the need for INEC to rebuild public trust as a key priority, particularly in light of persistent misinformation and polarized political discourse.
INEC has assured Nigerians that it will issue the official timetable and schedule of activities in full compliance with the country’s constitutional and legal requirements — but has given no specific date for when this will occur. The electoral body’s media statement emphasised that once published, the timetable will appear only on validated platforms, a caveat aimed at curbing the spread of spurious documents and claims.
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