Atiku asks INEC to reschedule 2027 elections over Ramadan clash

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to reconsider the date set for the 2027 general election, warning that it coincides with the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

INEC announced that presidential and National Assembly elections will hold on February 20, 2027, while governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections are scheduled for March 6, 2027. The commission said the dates were chosen in accordance with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

However, the timetable has drawn criticism because Ramadan is projected to begin around February 8 and end about March 10, 2027, placing both election dates within the fasting period.

Reacting in a statement, Atiku noted that the February 20 poll falls “squarely within the Ramadan period,” describing the month as a time of fasting, reflection and spiritual devotion for millions of Nigerian Muslims.

He emphasised that elections are not merely administrative exercises but require “maximum participation, physical endurance, and collective focus.”

“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,” he said.

Atiku argued that in a plural society like Nigeria, inclusive decision-making is vital. He maintained that selecting dates that accommodate broad public interests demonstrates competence and foresight. “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?” he queried.