The campaign season for the 2027 polls in Nigeria officially began last Wednesday, August 19, 2026. This is for presidential, senatorial and House of Representatives candidates and their political parties. Those of governorship and State Houses of Assembly candidates will kick off on September 9, 2026. All campaigns are to cease 24 hours before election day, in accordance with the Timetable and Schedule of Activities published by the Independent National Electoral Commission. Campaigns are to be held for 150 days, according to section 98. (1) of the Electoral Act 2026, which states that “For the purpose of this Act, the period of campaigning in public by every political party shall commence 150 days before polling day and end 24 hours prior to that day.”
It is noteworthy that perhaps for the first time since the National Peace Committee was established in 2014, the NPC has decided to have two Peace Accord signing ceremonies ahead of the 2027 General Elections. The first one was held last week, Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at the Bola Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja. I was there and was even among the panelists that discussed the significance of the peace pact live on Channels Television. The discussion was moderated by Maupe Ogun-Yusuf. President Bola Tinubu was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, while his party, the All Progressives Congress national chairman, Prof. Nantawe Yilwatda, was physically there. However, African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Allied Peoples Movement presidential candidate, Engr. Seyi Makinde were not there nor represented. I do hope all those who signed the peace accord will uphold the tenets of the accord.
