The National Assembly will resume plenary on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, to consider moving the 2027 presidential election to February 13, 2027.
Lawmakers cut short their recess to address concerns surrounding the current election timetable and to review provisions in the amended Electoral Act.
The notice for the emergency session was issued by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, who directed senators and members of the House of Representatives to reconvene at 11 a.m.
The session is expected to focus on key decisions, including a possible adjustment of the presidential poll earlier fixed for February 20, 2027, by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Sources within the National Assembly disclosed that the early resumption is mainly to give legal backing to a request from INEC regarding the election date.
The commission had come under pressure from several groups who argued that the scheduled date falls within the Ramadan fasting period observed by Muslims. The proposed shift to February 13 is aimed at addressing those concerns and ensuring wider participation.
INEC had earlier announced that the presidential and National Assembly elections would hold on February 20, 2027, while governorship and state assembly elections were set for March 6, 2027.
However, Muslim organisations and other stakeholders objected to the timing, saying it could affect voter turnout during the holy month. The commission later stated that it was open to consultations and could seek legislative intervention if necessary.
The move by lawmakers comes shortly after the Senate approved electronic transmission of election results to INEC’s Result Viewing Portal. The amendment retained manual collation as a backup in areas where network challenges may prevent electronic uploads.
Lawmakers did not make electronic transmission fully compulsory and removed the requirement for real-time upload of results.
Senate leaders defended the decision, citing challenges with internet coverage and power supply across the country. They referred to data showing that broadband penetration and electricity access remain limited in many areas, which could affect seamless electronic transmission.
According to them, lawmaking must reflect existing infrastructure realities to avoid creating further disputes.
In addition to the election date review, the Joint National Assembly Conference Committee is set to meet to harmonise differences between the Senate and House versions of the Electoral Amendment Bill. Once harmonised, the bill will be forwarded to President Bola Tinubu for assent.
The proposed adjustment of the presidential election date is part of broader reforms being considered ahead of the 2027 general elections. Lawmakers have previously discussed holding elections earlier than usual to allow enough time for the resolution of election petitions before the swearing-in date of May 29, 2027.
Other proposals include shortening the timeline for election tribunal judgments and allowing early voting for security personnel, election officials, journalists, and observers.
As plenary resumes, political observers are watching closely, as any decision taken on the election timetable could shape preparations for the 2027 polls and influence participation across the country.