By Amah
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The National Assembly of Nigeria will reconvene on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, ahead of schedule, in what insiders describe as a high-stakes session centered on the 2027 general election timetable.
In a formal notice issued by Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, senators and members of the House of Representatives were instructed to resume plenary at 11 a.m. to deliberate on matters deemed “urgent and of national importance.” Chief among them is a proposal to adjust the date of the 2027 presidential election.
According to legislative sources, discussions are underway to shift the presidential and National Assembly polls from February 20 to February 13, 2027. The reconsideration follows concerns raised by political and religious stakeholders that the earlier schedule could coincide with the Ramadan fasting period, potentially affecting voter participation in several states.
The Independent National Electoral Commission had previously fixed February 20, 2027, for the presidential and National Assembly elections, with governorship and state assembly polls slated for March 6, 2027. While INEC has maintained that its timetable conforms to existing legal provisions, it recently acknowledged receiving appeals for possible adjustments and indicated that any change would require legislative action.
The timing of the National Assembly’s return also intersects with ongoing deliberations on amendments to the Electoral Act. Lawmakers have already endorsed electronic transmission of results to INEC’s Result Viewing Portal. However, the revised provisions make such transmission discretionary rather than compulsory in areas where internet connectivity and electricity supply remain unreliable. In those instances, manual collation would serve as a backup mechanism.
The harmonised Electoral Amendment Bill, once concluded by the joint conference committee of both chambers, is expected to be transmitted to President Bola Tinubu for assent.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele has defended the decision to drop the “real-time” transmission clause, citing infrastructural constraints, including limited broadband penetration and unstable power supply across parts of the country. He argued that the revised approach balances technological ambition with operational realities.
Should lawmakers approve the proposed February 13 date, it would represent a notable shift in the 2027 electoral calendar. Supporters contend that the adjustment is intended to promote inclusivity and safeguard turnout, while observers note that broader questions about transparency, logistics, and public trust will remain central as the election cycle approaches.
With plenary set to resume, the focus now turns to whether lawmakers can reach swift consensus, and how the outcome may shape the credibility of the 2027 polls.
