Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to reconsider the timetable for the 2027 general elections, citing concerns that the scheduled dates coincide with the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.
INEC had on Friday announced that presidential and National Assembly elections would hold on February 20, 2027, while governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections are slated for March 6, 2027. The Commission stated that the timetable was drawn in compliance with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
However, the announcement has generated debate, as Ramadan in 2027 is projected to begin around February 8 and end approximately on March 10—placing both election dates squarely within the fasting period observed by millions of Nigerian Muslims.
In a statement released on Friday, Atiku described the February 20 presidential election date as falling “directly within the Ramadan period,” noting that the month is dedicated to fasting, spiritual reflection, and heightened religious devotion.
He emphasized that elections are not mere administrative formalities but national exercises that demand “maximum participation, physical stamina, and collective concentration.” Conducting such a critical civic process during a major religious observance, he argued, raises questions about sensitivity to Nigeria’s complex socio-religious landscape.
“Fixing such a pivotal democratic exercise in the midst of Ramadan suggests a lapse in judgment and insufficient consideration of the nation’s religious realities,” he stated.
The former Vice-President further maintained that in a pluralistic society like Nigeria, inclusive and thoughtful decision-making is imperative. According to him, selecting an election date that reflects broad national considerations is a measure of both competence and foresight.
“If INEC finds it difficult to address a fundamental issue such as appropriate timing,” he queried, “how can Nigerians be fully confident in its ability to conduct free, fair, and credible elections in 2027?”
Atiku called on the Commission to revisit the timetable in the spirit of inclusivity, urging it to take proactive steps to ensure that no segment of the electorate feels inadvertently disadvantaged in the democratic process.
