The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has demanded the removal of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, over the scheduled date for the 2027 presidential election. The party alleges the chosen date discriminates against Muslim voters.
In a statement issued on Saturday in Kano, the NNPP’s state Publicity Secretary, Ibrahim Karaye, protested the election’s planned commencement on February 20, 2027. The party noted this date falls within the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, a period of daylight fasting and increased religious observance for Muslims.
The NNPP described the timing as “unacceptable” and “a deliberate attempt to disenfranchise the majority Muslim population in the country.” It further accused the INEC Chairman of exhibiting religious bias in the scheduling decision.
The party has called on President Bola Tinubu to act swiftly by replacing the INEC leadership. It argued that a new appointee, specifically suggesting a “more credible Christian,” would be necessary to ensure perceived fairness and restore public trust in the electoral process. The statement contended that for any election to gain acceptance among Nigeria’s Muslim-majority populace, such a leadership change at INEC is essential.
INEC typically announces the general election timetable years in advance to allow for planning by political parties, candidates, and the electorate. The commission has not yet commented on the NNPP’s demand. The Final February 2027 date aligns with Nigeria’s statutory requirement to hold elections not later than 30 days before the expiration of the current administration’s term.
The demand intensifies scrutiny on the electoral body’s planning and highlights the sensitive intersection of religious practice and civic duty in Nigeria’s political landscape. The Presidency is yet to respond to the call for the INEC Chairman’s removal, a power vested in the President subject to Senate confirmation. The controversy underscores the ongoing challenge of setting an election calendar that accommodates Nigeria’s diverse religious and cultural communities while adhering to constitutional timelines.
