Nigeria’s electoral commission has urged the public to ignore “fabricated” reports circulating online that claim to outline the schedule for the 2027 general elections.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) issued a statement on Tuesday clarifying that it has not yet released any official dates, campaign windows, or primary schedules for the next national vote.
The warning comes as disinformation campaigns increasingly target the country’s political cycle, often using sophisticated-looking documents to mislead voters and political parties.
‘Entirely speculative’
The commission described the viral article as “not authentic,” warning that the specific dates and timelines contained within it have no official basis.
“Any document or report claiming otherwise is fabricated,” the statement said. “They do not represent the plans or position of INEC.”
Under Nigerian law—specifically Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act 2022—the commission is not required to publish the official notice of a general election until 360 days before the polling date. Given that the next general election is slated for 2027, an official timetable is not expected until 2026.
Focus on the FCT polls
While 2027 remains a distant prospect, INEC is currently focused on immediate local elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The commission has confirmed that the Area Council elections will take place on February 21, and it has begun the distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to eligible residents in Abuja.
- Collection dates: January 22 to January 26.
- Location: Respective registration areas (wards) across the FCT.
- Hours: 9:00 am to 3:00 pm daily.
Voters who miss this window will be required to collect their cards from INEC’s Area Council offices at a later date.
Combatting disinformation
The spread of the fake 2027 timetable is the second such incident this month. On January 3, the commission was forced to issue a similar debunking of viral claims.
Adedayo Oketola, media adviser to the INEC Chairman, urged Nigerians and civil society groups to rely solely on verified channels, such as the commission’s official website and social media handles, to avoid being misled by “speculative” reporting.
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