Former Vice President and 2023 PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to revise the newly announced 2027 election timetable, warning that the dates conflict with the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
On Friday, February 13, 2026, INEC set the presidential and National Assembly polls for February 20, 2027, with state-level elections following on March 6.
In a critical post on his official X handle, Atiku pointed out that the scheduled dates fall “squarely within the Ramadan period (February 7 – March 8, 2027), a sacred season of fasting, reflection, and spiritual devotion for millions of Nigerian Muslims.”
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Atiku expressed deep concern that holding such a massive national exercise during a period of religious observance would hinder voter engagement and physical participation.
He emphasized that “elections are not mere administrative rituals; they are national exercises that demand maximum participation, physical endurance, and collective focus.”
By ignoring the timing of the fast, Atiku argued that the commission has demonstrated a significant oversight, stating, “Fixing such a critical civic exercise in the middle of a major religious observance reflects poor judgment and a troubling lack of sensitivity to the nation’s socio-religious realities.”
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The former Vice President further suggested that the blunder raises serious questions about INEC’s overall ability to manage the 2027 polls.
He insisted that in a country as pluralistic as Nigeria, “inclusive planning is not optional, it is fundamental,” adding that “something as basic as choosing a broadly acceptable date should not be mishandled. It speaks to competence, foresight, and respect for citizens.”
He concluded his critique by questioning the commission’s credibility, asking, “If INEC struggles with getting a simple matter of timing right, Nigerians are justified in asking: what assurance do we have that it will competently deliver free, fair, and credible elections in 2027?”
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