By Our Political Reporter

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced a major adjustment to the timetable for the 2027 General Election, bringing forward the dates for presidential, National Assembly, governorship and state assembly polls in compliance with the newly enacted Electoral Act, 2026.

In a press statement issued on Wednesday and signed by the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Malam Mohammed Kudu Haruna, the Commission confirmed that the earlier schedule has been revised following the repeal of the Electoral Act, 2022 and the introduction of new statutory timelines under the 2026 law.

Presidential Election Now January 16, 2027

INEC disclosed that the Presidential and National Assembly Elections, previously scheduled for February 20, 2027, will now hold on Saturday, January 16, 2027.

Similarly, the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly Elections, earlier fixed for March 6, 2027, have been moved to Saturday, February 6, 2027.

According to the Commission, the changes were necessary to ensure full compliance with the provisions of the new Electoral Act, which introduced adjustments to timelines governing party primaries, campaigns and other pre-election activities.

Party Primaries to Begin April 23, 2026

As part of the revised schedule, political parties are expected to conduct their primaries — including the resolution of disputes — between April 23 and May 30, 2026.

Campaigns for Presidential and National Assembly candidates will commence on August 19, 2026, while Governorship and State Assembly campaigns will begin on September 9, 2026.

INEC reminded political parties that, in line with the law, all campaigns must end 24 hours before Election Day, warning that the Commission will strictly enforce compliance with the new legal framework.

“The Revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2027 General Election reflecting these adjustments have been issued and can be accessed on the Commission’s official website and other official communication platforms,” the statement read.

Osun Governorship Election Rescheduled

In a related development, INEC also announced the rescheduling of the Osun State Governorship Election.

The poll, initially slated for Saturday, August 8, 2026, will now take place on Saturday, August 15, 2026.

The Commission noted that while some preparatory activities for the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections have already been completed, the remaining processes will strictly align with the provisions of the 2026 Electoral Act.

Constitutional Backing

INEC emphasized that the revised dates are consistent with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 and the new Electoral Act, assuring Nigerians that the adjustments are legally grounded.

The Commission further stressed that the successful conduct of the 2027 elections remains a shared responsibility, urging political parties, candidates, civil society organisations, security agencies and voters to work collectively toward peaceful, credible and inclusive polls.

Political Implications

The adjustment significantly shortens the countdown to the 2027 race, effectively accelerating political calculations across party lines. Aspirants eyeing presidential, governorship and legislative seats must now recalibrate their strategies in line with the earlier primaries and campaign windows.

For political parties, the compressed timeline heightens the urgency of internal consultations, alliance-building and candidate selection processes — areas that have historically generated disputes and litigations.

With less than a year to party primaries, the road to 2027 has officially begun.

As Nigeria prepares for another defining electoral cycle, all eyes will now be on how political actors adapt to the new calendar — and whether the revised schedule will deliver the transparent and credible elections Nigerians demand.

By Our Political Reporter

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Gombe State has announced the commencement of a statewide rotational Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, beginning Monday, February 2, 2026.

According to a press release issued by the Commission, the exercise will cover all the 114 Registration Areas (wards) across the state. INEC officials will spend five days in each Registration Area on a rotational basis to ensure that eligible citizens have adequate access to voter registration services.

The registration exercise will run from Mondays to Fridays, between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., at designated ward registration centres across the state.

INEC explained that the exercise is open to all eligible Nigerian citizens who are 18 years and above and have not previously registered. It will also cater to registered voters who wish to transfer their registration, as well as those seeking replacement of lost or damaged Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

The Commission urged residents of Gombe State to take full advantage of the opportunity, describing voter registration as a civic responsibility and a key pillar of democratic participation.

INEC further called on traditional rulers, community leaders, civil society organisations, security agencies, and other stakeholders to support the smooth conduct of the exercise by mobilising citizens and maintaining a peaceful environment at registration centres.

Reaffirming its commitment to credible electoral processes, the Commission stressed that the rotational approach is designed to bring registration services closer to the people and ensure inclusiveness across all communities in the state.

INEC concluded by encouraging eligible voters to participate actively in the exercise, noting that effective participation in elections begins with voter registration.

“INEC — Making Your Votes Count, Consolidating Our Democracy.”

By Our Correspondent

Bayero University Kano (BUK) has elected Professor Haruna Musa Dambatta, FSI, as the institution’s new Vice Chancellor, following a transparent and widely praised electoral process held on Tuesday, July 1, 2025.

Professor Dambatta, a renowned scholar of polymer chemistry and the current Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics), emerged the clear front-runner after securing 853 votes in a hotly contested election involving five senior academic figures. The election was conducted during a well-attended Congregation Parley, a traditional forum that allows university staff to play a consultative role in leadership selection.

According to Professor Muhtari Ali Hajara, Chairman of the Electoral Committee, a total of 1,784 staff members were accredited to vote. The exercise recorded 17 invalid votes and 4 unaccounted ballots, signaling a strong turnout and high level of engagement from the university community.

The full results of the election are as follows:

Prof. Haruna Musa Dambatta – 853 votes

Prof. Mahmoud Umar Sani (former DVC, Management Services) – 367 votes

Prof. Sani Muhammad Gumel (former DVC, Academics) – 364 votes

Prof. Adamu Idris Tanko (former DVC, Academics and Administration) – 161 votes

Prof. Bashir Fagge – 18 votes

The outgoing Vice Chancellor, Professor Sagir Adamu Abbas, who presided over the parley, commended all candidates and participants, emphasizing that the electoral process reflected BUK’s enduring commitment to democracy, meritocracy, and institutional transparency.

> “This exercise is not just about choosing a leader—it is about strengthening the institutional culture of trust and collective responsibility,” Professor Abbas said.

He urged all contestants to rally around the eventual appointee and continue contributing to the university’s development.

While the final decision rests with BUK’s Governing Council, the congregation election accounts for 20% of the overall selection criteria, giving Professor Dambatta a significant advantage and strong endorsement from the university community.

The outcome has been met with widespread jubilation among staff, students, and alumni, many of whom describe Professor Dambatta as a progressive academic, deeply committed to innovation, inclusion, and institutional development.

His emergence is being hailed as a pivotal moment for the university, one expected to consolidate BUK’s legacy of academic excellence, research leadership, and administrative integrity.

If confirmed by the Governing Council, Professor Dambatta will become the next steward of one of Nigeria’s foremost federal universities, charged with guiding BUK through a new era of academic transformation and global competitiveness.