In a sweeping move that could redefine Nigeria’s democratic timeline, the National Assembly is proposing that the 2027 presidential and governorship elections be held six months earlier than usual in November, 2026. Sunday Aborisade, in this piece, examines the implication of the lofty proposal.
In what may go down as one of the most ambitious electoral reform efforts in Nigeria’s recent history, the nation’s apex legislative institution has unveiled a comprehensive proposal to move the 2027 presidential and governorship elections forward by six months, from the traditional February-March window to November, 2026.
The proposed shift, which is part of a broader set of amendments to the Electoral Act 2022, is designed to ensure that all election petitions are concluded before the May 29, 2027 handover date. This move, federal lawmakers say, aims to finally end the embarrassing cycle of leaders being sworn into office while still defending their victories in court, a recurring blot on Nigeria’s democratic record since 1999.