By Obike Ukoh
With the dust of real-time transmission of election results for the 2027 general election yet to settle, another issue has arisen with respect to the suitability of the dates of the elections.
In the election time table released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the elections were tentatively fixed for February 20 and March 6, 2027.
Presidential and National Assembly elections were fixed for February 20, while governorship and house of assembly elections were fixed for March 6.
Immediately the electoral body released the timetable, critical stakeholders, especially Muslims, raised objections and complaints about the dates.
They said that the election dates, fall within the Muslim Holy Month of Ramadan, which is a sacred period in the Islamic calendar, marked by fasting from dawn to sunset.
In 2027, the fasting is expected to commence in early February and end in March.
In fact, though Nigeria is a secular state, this is becoming a national trend, kicking against fixing sensitive national events, when they coincide with Christian or Muslim religious activities.
In 2006, the Catholic Church asked INEC to change the dates of the 2007 general elections, because they fell on Easter period, the most important season on the Christian calendar.
The elections were slated for between April 7 and 28, 2007. The Easter Holy Week began with Palm Sunday on April 1, and ended Sunday, April 8.
So following what now appears to be a pattern of behaviour, Muslims have urged INEC to shift the elections’ dates.
According to them, the physical demands of fasting during the days and midnights, may affect voters turning out for long hours under the sun, to queue to carry out election duties.
The National Missioner of Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Sheikh AbdurRahman Ahmad, called on INEC to move the elections outside Ramadan, stressing that election dates are not sacrosanct, as adjustments have been made in the past.
“As Muslims, we do not complain when elections do not affect our religious activities.
However, we must make our feelings known when actions appear to disregard our religious obligations.
“Millions of Nigerian Muslims are stakeholders in the Nigerian project and should be respected when fixing election dates.
“Elections are national exercises that should encourage the broadest participation. Fixing the polls during Ramadan may disenfranchise or discourage the active engagement of many Muslims,” he said.
Speaking in the same vein, the National Amir (President) of The Companion, an association of Muslim men in business and professions, Imam Nojeem Jimoh, also called on the electoral commission to reconsider the dates.
According to him, INEC had in the past, adjusted election timetables due to prevailing circumstances, including security concerns and logistical challenges, and should, therefore, review the 2027 dates in the interest of inclusivity and national cohesion.
The Islamic scholar urged INEC to engage in broader consultations with religious and community leaders before finalising election timetables.
“We are major stakeholders in the electioneering process, because we assist INEC in mobilising Muslims to perform their civic duties.
“We should be consulted before decisions that affect millions of Muslims are taken. INEC should have a rethink; the Muslim community is not asking for too much. After all, off-cycle elections are not fixed on Christmas or Easter days.
“ Even elections held on weekends are never scheduled on Sundays out of respect for Christians. Why then should Muslims’ interest be disregarded?
The Action Democratic Party (ADP), also joined to urge INEC to shift the 2027 general elections, to avoid clashing with the Ramadan.
In a statement signed by the party’s National Chairman, Mr Yabagi Yusuf Sani, the party welcomed INEC’s announcement that it had begun steps to realign the previously released timetable.
According to ADP, Nigeria’s democracy is strongest when inclusivity, fairness, and peace remain the guiding principles of the nation’s collective actions.
The party also stressed that: “While electoral timelines must strictly comply with constitutional and statutory requirements, elections must also command public confidence and reflect the social realities of our diverse nation.
“The scheduling of major national elections during the holy month of Ramadan carries significant implications for voter participation,
logistical coordination, and national inclusivity.
“In a plural and multi-faith society such as Nigeria, sensitivity to religious observances, is not a concession, but a democratic necessity.
“An election timetable that accommodates the spiritual commitments of millions of citizens strengthens participation, legitimacy, and national cohesion.’’
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, stressed that INEC should embrace inclusive planning.
He noted that elections are major national exercises, that require broad participation, physical stamina, and collective focus, arguing that fixing such a crucial civic activity during a significant religious observance demonstrates poor judgment and insensitivity to Nigeria’s socio-religious diversity.
“In a diverse country like Nigeria, inclusive planning is not optional; it is fundamental,” he said, adding that the choice of an acceptable election date reflects competence, foresight, and respect for citizens.
The former presidential candidate questioned the electoral body’s preparedness, warning that if INEC struggles with timing decisions, Nigerians may doubt its ability to deliver free, fair, and credible elections in 2027.
Is clear INEC will do the needful, going by the comments from the electoral body since the issue of dates was raised.
National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee of INEC, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, said the timetable was developed in strict compliance with the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Electoral Act, 2022, and the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections.
The Commission explained that its regulations, in place since 2019, stipulate that Presidential and National Assembly elections shall hold on the third Saturday of February in a general election year, while governorship and state assembly elections shall follow two weeks later.
“Accordingly, and in faithful observance of these extant legal and regulatory provisions, the Commission fixed Saturday, 20th February 2027, for the Presidential and National Assembly Elections and Saturday, 6th March 2027, for the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly Elections,” the statement read.
INEC, however, acknowledged the concerns expressed by stakeholders regarding the dates of the elections falling within the Ramadan period.
“In view of these representations, the Commission is currently undertaking consultations and may, where necessary, seek appropriate legislative intervention to address the concerns raised, while ensuring that any adjustment remains consistent with constitutional and statutory requirements,” it added.
An analyst and commentator, ‘Tonye Barcanista, however , said that though inclusivity is essential and necessary, that Nigerians should face the real issues.
“I have read statements that criticized the scheduling of the 2027 elections simply because the arrangement falls within the 2027 Ramadan month.
“In fact, there have been countless instances of countries, including predominantly Muslim ones, holding elections during the Ramadan month.’’
Barcanista listed them as : “Gambia, a predominantly Muslim country, held its 2022 National Assembly election on April 9, which was the 8th of Ramadan.
“Turkey, a country with a predominantly Muslim population, held nationwide municipal elections on March 31, 2024. That was around the 21st day of Ramadan.
“Kuwait, a predominantly Muslim country in the Middle East, held its general election on April 4, 2024. That date was exactly the 25th day of Ramadan that year.
“In 2004, the United States held its presidential election on November 2, while Ramadan began on October 15. This clearly meant that the election was held during Ramadan. No citizen raised an eyebrow.
“The United Kingdom held elections in June 2017 and in May of 2019, 2021, and 2022 during Ramadan.’’
He said that in addition to the above, several FIFA World Cups, European Cups, and football leagues across the predominantly Muslim Middle East, Europe, as well as Africa, have been held during the Ramadan month.
“So what is so special about an important Nigerian election holding in the same period,’’ he queried.
Barcanista, who , however, stressed that the demand for dates adjustment is legitimate, emphasized that Nigerians should focus more on holding INEC accountable to guarantee a free, fair, and credible process.
“Most importantly, we should not lose our guard or be distracted by religious considerations when the most critical issue is ensuring that every single vote counts and that the mandate is protected.’’
Hopefully, the heat of the real-time transmission of election results and adjustments of election timetable to accommodate Muslims will translate to fair, free and credible elections.
Obike Uko, Ex-Deputy Editor-In-Chief, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
