The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed reports circulating on social media claiming that it revised the campaign timetable for the 2027 general elections.
A viral graphic had purportedly shown a new official campaign schedule, claiming that the commission adjusted the closing dates for campaigns ahead of the presidential, National Assembly, governorship and state House of Assembly elections.
According to the fake graphic, campaigns for the presidential and National Assembly elections would end on January 15, 2027, instead of January 14, while campaigns for governorship and state assembly elections would close on February 5, 2027, rather than February 4.
The graphic retained January 16, 2027, as the date for the presidential and National Assembly elections, and February 6, 2027, for the governorship and state assembly polls.
However, INEC said it had not released any separate campaign timetable and described the circulating document as false.
The Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Adedayo Oketola, told The Telegraph on Wednesday that the document did not originate from the commission.
“This graphic did not emanate from INEC. The commission does not issue campaign timetables separately.
“All official campaign timelines are already contained within the revised timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general election, which was released on February 26, 2026,” Oketola said.
He urged the media and members of the public to rely only on INEC’s official communication channels for electoral information, warning against the spread of misinformation ahead of the elections.
“We advise the media and the public to always verify electoral information through our official channels. As we enter the election season, we must all remain vigilant against the spread of misinformation and disinformation,” he added.
INEC’s revised timetable, released on February 26, 2026, scheduled the presidential and National Assembly elections for January 16, 2027, while the governorship and state House of Assembly elections will hold on February 6, 2027.
The commission’s schedule states that the notice of election will be issued on February 13, 2026.
It also provides that campaigns for presidential and National Assembly candidates will begin on August 19, 2026, while campaigns for governorship and state assembly candidates will commence on September 9, 2026.
Under the approved timetable, campaigns for the presidential and National Assembly elections will end on January 14, 2027, while those for governorship and state assembly elections will close on February 4, 2027—24 hours before the respective election dates.
