2027: INEC Opens Campaign Window for Governorship, Assembly Polls

Campaign activities for the 2027 governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections have officially commenced across Nigeria in line with the timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The commencement of the campaigns opens the political space for candidates contesting executive and legislative seats in 28 states to present their manifestos and engage voters through rallies, town hall meetings, media appearances, consultations and other campaign activities.

INEC’s timetable had earlier provided for the commencement of campaigns for the presidential and National Assembly elections on August 19, 2026.

Major political parties, including the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and African Democratic Congress (ADC), have fielded governorship candidates in the 28 states where elections will take place.

However, despite the formal commencement of campaigns, some major political parties are yet to fully activate their campaign structures at the national and state levels.

The APC, which recently announced the composition of its national campaign council, is yet to formally inaugurate the body.

Sources within the party attributed the delay to concerns and complaints over the inclusion of some controversial figures in the council, with the party leadership reportedly reviewing the list and considering an expansion of its membership before inauguration.

Opposition parties, including the NDC, ADC and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), are also yet to fully inaugurate their central and state-level campaign structures.

Political observers have linked the delays to lingering disputes arising from party primaries, funding challenges and ongoing negotiations over political alliances ahead of the 2027 general elections.

With the campaign window for the governorship and State Assembly elections now open, political activities are expected to intensify in the coming weeks as parties consolidate their structures, mobilise supporters and take their campaigns to the grassroots.

Meanwhile, elections will not be held in eight states—Imo, Ondo, Osun, Bayelsa, Edo, Kogi, Ekiti and Anambra—during the 2027 general elections because their electoral cycles differ from the general election timetable.