National Assembly proposes that 2027 elections take place in November next year

NIGERIA'S National Assembly had proposed that the 2027 presidential and gubernatorial elections take place in November 2026 instead of the usual February or March of the election year to prove enough time for any electoral dispute appeals.

Earlier today, this proposal was contained in the draft amendments to the Electoral Act 2022, discussed during a one-day public hearing organised by the Joint Committee on Electoral Matters, chaired by Senator Simon Lalong. Apparently, Section 4(7) of the proposed amendment stipulates that elections into the offices of president and governor of a state shall be conducted not later than 185 days before the expiration of the term of office of the incumbent.

Given that the current administration’s tenure ends on May 29, 2027, the next presidential and governorship elections would therefore be held around November 2026, as 185 days before May 29 falls within that period. Similarly, the proposal for federal and state legislative elections under Section 4(5) states that such polls shall be held not later than 185 days before the date on which each of the houses stands dissolved.

According to the lawmakers, the amendment seeks to provide ample time for the resolution of electoral disputes before the swearing-in of winners. Hon Adebayo Balogun, the chairman of the House Committee on Electoral Matters, explained that the amendment would help prevent situations where court cases continue after elected officials have assumed office.

He added: “We are proposing that all election litigations be concluded before the swearing-in of declared winners. To achieve this, we are recommending that the current 180 days allowed for tribunal judgments be reduced to 90 days, while appellate and Supreme Court decisions should each take no more than 60 days, all within 185 days before inauguration.”

Hon Balogun said that the proposal would also necessitate corresponding amendments to Sections 285 and 139 of the 1999 Constitution to align with the new electoral timeline. Nigeria's president and governors who get elected in 2027, will be sworn-in in May of that year.