National Assembly has summoned an emergency plenary Tuesday to fast-track a shift in the 2027 presidential election date from February 20 to February 13, citing concerns that the original schedule clashes with the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.
The move follows the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) public acknowledgement of widespread unease over the timing, which could suppress voter turnout among the country’s large Muslim population.
A notice signed by Clerk of the National Assembly Kamoru Ogunlana directed lawmakers to cut short their recess and reconvene at 11:00 am for what insiders described as “crucial decisions” on the electoral calendar.
A senator familiar with the deliberations told Politics Nigeria the aim is to provide legislative backing for INEC’s request. “The ultimate aim is to give legislative backing to INEC’s request to address the concerns raised regarding the 2027 election slated to hold during Ramadan,” the lawmaker said.
Another parliamentarian disclosed that the new date under consideration is February 13. “The presidential poll date may be brought forward to February 13,” he said.
INEC had earlier stated it remains “sensitive to all legitimate concerns that may impact electoral participation” and is open to legislative intervention to resolve the issue.
The proposed adjustment comes barely a week after INEC formally announced the February 20 date, triggering swift criticism from religious and civil society groups who warned of logistical and devotional conflicts for millions of Muslim voters.
