Opposition Divided as National Assembly Moves to Shift 2027 Elections to November 2026

A proposal by the National Assembly to move the 2027 presidential and governorship elections to November 2026 has sparked division among opposition parties.

While some opposition figures describe the plan as an attempt to extend President Bola Tinubu’s time in office, others believe it could strengthen Nigeria’s electoral process by allowing all election disputes to be settled before the May 29, 2027, handover date.

The proposal is part of a series of amendments to the 2022 Electoral Act. It seeks to shift the elections by about six months to ensure pre- and post-election litigations are concluded before newly elected officials assume office. If approved, the presidential and governorship polls will take place in November 2026 instead of the traditional February or March date.

According to the draft amendment, elections into the offices of president and governor must be held not later than 185 days before the expiration of the incumbent’s tenure. Legislative elections are also expected to follow the same timeline, with the vote occurring at least 185 days before the dissolution of the respective houses.

Lawmakers say the adjustment will prevent the swearing-in of elected officials whose victories are still being challenged in court.

At a joint public hearing on Monday, the House Committee on Electoral Matters, chaired by Hon. Adebayo Balogun, said the proposal was intended to ensure that all election litigations are resolved before inauguration. Balogun explained that the amendment would also shorten the time allowed for tribunal judgments from 180 days to 90 days, while appellate and Supreme Court decisions must be concluded within the 185-day period.

The proposed amendment also introduces provisions for early voting, allowing security personnel, election officials, journalists, and accredited observers to vote up to 14 days before the main election. It further mandates the electronic and manual transmission of results and proposes that the use of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) should no longer be compulsory. The amendment also prescribes penalties for failure to comply with result transmission procedures.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has expressed support for the proposal, describing it as a step toward greater transparency and efficiency in the electoral process.

However, reactions from opposition parties have been mixed.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, accused the National Assembly of trying to “buy more time” for President Tinubu. He said the plan was ill-timed and not in the best interest of Nigerians, arguing that reforms should instead focus on strengthening the use of technology and real-time result transmission.

Similarly, the National Publicity Secretary of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Ladipo Johnson, warned that bringing the elections forward could place opposition parties at a disadvantage. He said the ruling party would have more time to prepare while others would struggle to adjust to the new timeline.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) adopted a cautious stance, with its spokesman Bolaji Abdullahi saying the party would reserve comment until it had reviewed the full draft of the amendment.

The Labour Party’s factional spokesman, Obiora Ifoh, expressed support for the proposed shift, saying it would help cut costs and reduce political tension. According to him, conducting all elections on the same day would also help eliminate the bandwagon effect and allow court disputes to be concluded before the handover date.

But the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, called for broader consultations before any amendment is passed. He warned lawmakers against taking unilateral decisions and urged them to seek public input to ensure that the reforms reflect the will of Nigerians.