'Misinformation, Disinformation': INEC Warns Against Fake 2027 Election Campaign Timetable

 

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has refuted allegations that it has amended the campaign schedule for the 2027 general election, characterizing a viral picture circulating on social media as bogus.

The commission stated that the image, which reportedly showed campaign dates for the presidential, National Assembly, governorship, and state Houses of Assembly elections, did not originate with INEC.

The graphic claimed that campaigning for the presidential and National Assembly elections would end on January 15, 2027, rather than January 14 as stated in the commission's official timeline, while gubernatorial and state assembly campaigns would end on February 5, 2027.

Speaking to The Cable on Tuesday, Adedayo Oketola, Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, stated that the commission has not released a distinct campaign schedule.

According to him, all campaign dates have already been included in the updated timetable and plan of operations for the 2027 general election, which was announced earlier this year.

"This graphic did not originate from INEC. The Commission does not release campaign timetables separately. "All official campaign timelines are already included in the updated calendar and schedule of operations for the 2027 general election, which was published on February 26, 2026," Oketola stated.

Oketola asked Nigerians and media outlets to verify election-related material via the commission's established communication channels.

"We advise the media and the general public to always verify election results through our official channels. As we approach the election season, we must all be vigilant against the dissemination of misinformation and deception," he said.

INEC issued its amended calendar and schedule of events for the 2027 general election in February, announcing that the presidential and National Assembly elections will take place on January 16, 2027.

According to the schedule, political parties will launch campaigns for the presidential and National Assembly elections on August 19, 2026, while gubernatorial and state Houses of Assembly elections will begin on September 9, 2026.

The calendar also states that campaigns for the presidential and National Assembly elections would end on January 14, 2027, and those for the governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections will stop on February 4, 2027, exactly 24 hours before polling.

The gubernatorial and state House of Assembly elections are still scheduled for February 6, 2027.