By Ayo Ayodele
The National Assembly will reconvene on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, cutting short its recess amid plans to review the date of the 2027 presidential election.
In a notice issued by Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, senators and members of the House of Representatives were directed to resume plenary at 11 a.m. to consider “very crucial decisions.”
Sources within the legislature said the emergency session is expected to focus on amending the electoral timetable to shift the presidential poll from February 20 to February 13, 2027. The move is aimed at addressing concerns that the earlier date coincides with the Ramadan fasting period.
The proposal follows representations by stakeholders who argued that holding the election during Ramadan could affect voter participation. The Independent National Electoral Commission had earlier fixed February 20, 2027, for the presidential and National Assembly elections, and March 6, 2027, for governorship and state assembly polls.
INEC recently acknowledged the concerns and indicated it may seek legislative intervention if adjustments become necessary, while maintaining that its timetable complied with existing laws.
The National Assembly’s latest move also comes amid ongoing amendments to the Electoral Act. Lawmakers recently approved electronic transmission of results to INEC’s Result Viewing Portal but made it discretionary rather than mandatory in areas with poor connectivity. Manual collation will serve as a backup where electronic transmission is not feasible.
The joint conference committee of both chambers is expected to harmonise differences in the Electoral Amendment Bill before forwarding it to President Bola Tinubu for assent.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele defended the removal of the “real-time” transmission clause, citing infrastructure challenges, including limited broadband penetration and inadequate power supply. He said the adjustment was necessary to ensure the law reflects current technological realities.
If approved, the revised date of February 13 would represent a significant adjustment to the 2027 election timetable, with lawmakers saying the aim is to guarantee inclusivity and strengthen the credibility of the electoral process.