INEC Debunks Fake 2027 Campaign Timetable, Urges Public to Ignore Viral Graphic
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed as fake a viral social media graphic claiming the electoral body had revised the campaign timetable for the 2027 general elections.
The commission said it had not issued any separate campaign timetable, insisting that all campaign schedules remain as contained in the revised timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 elections released on February 26, 2026.
The misleading graphic, which has circulated widely on social media, falsely claimed that campaigns for the presidential and National Assembly elections would end on January 15, 2027, instead of January 14, 2027, as officially announced by INEC.
It also alleged that campaigns for the governorship and state House of Assembly elections would close on February 5, 2027, rather than February 4, 2027.
Despite the altered campaign dates, the fake timetable retained January 16, 2027, for the presidential and National Assembly elections and February 6, 2027, for the governorship and state House of Assembly polls.
Reacting to the development, the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Adedayo Oketola, told PUNCH Online on Wednesday that the commission had not released any revised campaign schedule.
“This graphic did not emanate from INEC. The commission does not issue campaign timetables separately.
“All official campaign timelines are already contained in the revised timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 General Election released on February 26, 2026,” Oketola said.
He urged journalists and members of the public to rely only on the commission’s verified communication channels for electoral information.
“As we enter the election season, we advise the media and the public to verify all electoral information through our official channels. We must remain vigilant against the spread of misinformation and disinformation,” he added.
INEC’s revised timetable provides that the Notice of Election will be issued on February 13, 2026.
Campaigns for the presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled to commence on August 19, 2026, while campaigns for governorship and state House of Assembly elections will begin on September 9, 2026.
Under the approved timetable, campaigns for the presidential and National Assembly elections will end on January 14, 2027, while those for the governorship and state Assembly elections will close on February 4, 2027—exactly 24 hours before the respective elections.
