FACT-CHECK: INEC Debunks Claims of Released Timetable for the 2027 General Elections

BY: Mustapha Lawal

Claim:

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released an official timetable detailing dates and schedules for Nigeria’s 2027 General Elections.

Verdict

False. INEC has not released any timetable, schedule of activities, or official dates for the 2027 General Elections. The claim is based on a fabricated report.

Full Text:

An article titled “BREAKING: INEC Releases Timetable for 2027 General Elections” is currently circulating online, including on the website peoplesdailyng.com. The publication claims that the Independent National Electoral Commission has announced specific dates for the 2027 general elections, as well as timelines for party primaries, campaign periods, and other election-related activities.

Election timetables issued by INEC are of high public importance because they guide political parties, civil society organisations, and voters in preparing for electoral processes. As a result, false or premature information of this nature has the potential to mislead stakeholders and undermine public confidence in the electoral system.

This fact-check examines whether INEC has officially released any timetable for the 2027 General Elections.

Verification:

FactCheckAfrica reviewed INEC’s official communication channels, including its website and verified social media accounts. The Commission issued a public statement through its verified X (formerly Twitter) handle clearly stating that the circulating article is false and should be disregarded in its entirety.

INEC explicitly denied releasing any timetable, schedule of activities, or election dates for the 2027 General Elections. The Commission further clarified that the specific details contained in the article, such as election dates, campaign timelines, and party primary windows, are speculative and have no official basis.

Earlier on 2nd January 2026, INEC published a statement e-signed by Adedayo Oketola, CPS/ Media Adviser to the INEC Chairman titled “NO TIME TABLE RELEASED YET FOR 2027 GENERAL ELECTION”. The statement was published in response to reports circulating in some quarters claiming that the Commission has released the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2027 General Election.

In the statement, the Commission reiterated that its operations are strictly within the provisions of Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022, which provides that the Commission shall publish a Notice of Election not later than 360 days before the date appointed for a general election. Any timetable or schedule issued outside this statutory framework cannot emanate from INEC.

INEC advised the public to rely only on information published through its verified channels and confirmed that any official announcement regarding the 2027 elections will be made through appropriate and authorised platforms at the appropriate time.

The commission concluded the statement on X (formerly Twitter) with a directory of where to find credible and reliable information about the timetable. It stated “for accurate and official information, the public is urged to rely ONLY on INEC’s verified communication channels:

✓  Official Website: inecnigeria.org

✓  Verified Social Media: @inecnigeria (X, Facebook, and Instagram)

✓  Official Press Statements and Bulletins issued directly by the Commission.

Conclusion:

The claim that INEC has released a timetable for the 2027 General Elections is false. The electoral body has formally disowned the circulating report and confirmed that no such timetable exists. Members of the public and other stakeholders are advised to ignore the misleading article and rely solely on INEC’s official channels for accurate and verified election information.