News Rendezvous

News Rendezvous , Abuja, Nigeria

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has denied claims that it has released an official timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 General Elections, describing such reports circulating online as false and misleading.In a statement issued by the Commission’s Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser, Adedayo Oketola, INEC made it clear that it has not published any timetable or schedule of activities for the 2027 polls.

The statement emphasised that any purported timetable circulating in some quarters did not originate from INEC and should be disregarded by the public, political parties, stakeholders, and the media. INEC stressed that it operates strictly within Nigeria’s statutory framework, particularly citing Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022, which requires the Commission to publish a Notice of Election not later than 360 days before the date appointed for a general election. Any published timetable or schedule of activities outside that statutory timeline cannot be considered official or authorised by the Commission.

The Commission assured Nigerians that the official timetable for the 2027 General Elections will be released in due course through its verified platforms and established communication channels. It urged the public and media to rely only on information disseminated from INEC’s official portals to avoid misinformation.

Credibility Check: What’s True and What’s Not✔ True:

INEC has publicly denied releasing any timetable or schedule for the 2027 General Election. Statements from INEC emphasise adherence to the law governing election notices, including the Electoral Act’s requirement for timelines.

Not Credible:The detailed schedule (e.g., CVR from April 2026 to January 2027, political party primaries between July–September 2026, and election dates in February and March 2027) circulating online has not been confirmed or authorised by INEC. Those details appear in viral posts and unofficial sources and have been expressly disowned by INEC.

Why This Matters

Elections in Nigeria are highly anticipated national events, and accurate, official timelines are essential for political parties, civil society, election observers, and voters to prepare. Misinformation about electoral timetables can lead to confusion, misaligned preparation by stakeholders, and unwarranted legal questions closer to the polls.INEC’s clarification aims to stem such confusion by urging stakeholders to depend only on verified announcements from its official platforms.