A nation decideswho holds themandate.

Seven moments that shape 2027.

The path from today to Aso Rock runs through a series of statutory deadlines. Miss one, and a candidate drops off the ballot.

1. 23 Apr – 30 May 2026
   Party primaries window

   All registered parties must select candidates within INEC's statutory primary window.
   pending
2. 27 Jun – 11 Jul 2026
   Presidential nomination forms

   Window for parties to submit presidential and National Assembly nomination forms.
   pending
3. 19 Aug 2026
   Presidential campaigns open

   150-day campaign window under the Electoral Act opens for presidential candidates.
   pending
4. 29 Aug 2026
   Final candidate submission deadline

   Last day for parties to submit cleared presidential and National Assembly candidates to INEC.
   pending
5. 12 Sep 2026
   Final candidate list published

   INEC publishes ballot order and candidate particulars for the presidential and National Assembly polls.
   pending
6. 16 Jan 2027
   Presidential & National Assembly

   Polls open 8:30 AM local, close 2:30 PM; voters in queue by close-of-poll are allowed to vote.
   ● election day
7. 6 Feb 2027
   Governorship & State Assembly

   28 states hold gubernatorial contests; 8 run off-cycle (Anambra, Bayelsa, Edo, Ekiti, Imo, Kogi, Ondo, Osun).
   pending
8. 29 May 2027
   Handover day

   Inauguration of the next President of the Federal Republic.
   after

Reading between the ballots.