The House of Representatives has scheduled an emergency sitting for Tuesday, February 17, 2026, to deliberate on issues arising from the newly released timetable for the 2027 general elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The decision was disclosed in a statement issued on Monday by the House spokesperson, Akin Rotimi, who described INEC’s announcement as one of “constitutional and national significance.”
According to the statement, the emergency session became necessary following INEC’s decision to fix February 20, 2027, for the presidential and National Assembly elections, a date that has already generated wide political and legal discussions across the country.
Rotimi explained that members of the House were formally notified of the extraordinary sitting through an internal memorandum circulated from the Speaker’s office, urging lawmakers to attend the session given the importance of the issues to be discussed.
He noted that the House intends to thoroughly examine the implications of the election timetable, particularly as it relates to constitutional provisions, electoral laws, and Nigeria’s democratic stability. The lawmakers are also expected to consider whether the announced dates align with existing legal frameworks governing the conduct of elections.
The statement further indicated that the House may engage relevant stakeholders, including Independent National Electoral Commission, to seek clarifications on the rationale behind the chosen dates and their broader impact on the political process.
Political observers believe the emergency sitting underscores the legislature’s concern over the early release of the election timetable and its potential consequences for governance, political activities, and electoral preparedness.
The House of Representatives assured Nigerians that deliberations during the session would be guided by national interest, with a focus on safeguarding democracy, constitutional order, and public confidence in the electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
