National Assembly reconvenes, may shift 2027 Presidential election to February 13

The National Assembly will reconvene on Tuesday, February 17, for an emergency plenary, with strong indications that legislators may review and possibly alter the date fixed for the 2027 presidential election.

In a notice signed by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, senators and members of the House of Representatives were directed to cut short their recess and resume by 11:00 a.m. The memo said “very crucial decisions” would be taken, urging lawmakers to adjust their schedules.

While the agenda was not formally stated, insiders say the dominant issue is the timetable earlier released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The commission had scheduled the presidential and National Assembly elections for February 20, 2027, with governorship and state assembly polls to follow on March 6.

However, the February 20 date is expected to fall within the Ramadan fasting period, projected to run from early February to early March that year. The overlap has drawn objections from several Islamic organisations, political actors and civil society groups who fear it could depress voter turnout.

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A senior senator, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said lawmakers are weighing February 13, 2027, as a compromise. “The aim is to provide legislative backing for INEC to address the concerns around Ramadan,” the source explained.

Another ranking lawmaker described the sitting as critical to the credibility of the polls. “This is about ensuring inclusiveness so that every Nigerian, regardless of faith, can participate fully,” the senator said.

Among notable voices raising alarm over the schedule is former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who argued that the date sits squarely within Ramadan and may affect participation. Religious groups such as the Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria and The Companion have also urged adjustments, saying elections in a multi-faith nation should promote maximum inclusion.

The Action Democratic Party (ADP) has similarly appealed to INEC to revisit the timetable, maintaining that broad participation strengthens democratic legitimacy.

INEC, through its National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, acknowledged the agitation and said consultations with stakeholders were ongoing, including the possibility of legislative input if required.

The emergency meeting comes shortly after the Senate endorsed electronic transmission of results to INEC’s Result Viewing Portal while retaining manual collation as a safeguard in areas with poor network coverage. The move followed heated debate around provisions of the Electoral Act amendment bill.

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The Joint National Assembly Conference Committee is expected to harmonise the Senate and House versions before forwarding the final document to President Bola Tinubu for assent.

Observers say Tuesday’s deliberations could significantly reshape the electoral roadmap. If lawmakers endorse February 13, it would represent a rare shift influenced largely by religious sensitivity and inclusivity rather than logistics or security emergencies.

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