INEC 2027 Timetable Threatens Political Stability, Says Olawepo-Hashim
A former presidential candidate, Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has described the timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission for the 2027 general elections as unlawful, unworkable, and insensitive to Nigeria’s political and religious realities.
Olawepo-Hashim warned that the electoral schedule risks fueling unnecessary political tension and destabilising political parties ahead of the next general elections unless urgently reviewed by INEC. His concerns centre particularly on the timing of party primaries, which he said coincide with major religious events including the Muslim Hajj operation and Sallah festivities.
The former presidential candidate stated his position in a statement issued by the Olawepo-Hashim Media Office and made available to The PUNCH online on Sunday. He argued that the compressed electoral calendar does not provide adequate time for political parties to conduct transparent primaries and other internal democratic processes.
According to him, the development is already mounting pressure on political parties and worsening internal disputes across the political landscape. He disclosed that he had earlier written an open letter to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging him to ensure that INEC strictly complied with provisions of the Electoral Act in implementing the timetable. He lamented, however, that no response had been received from the Presidency.
Olawepo-Hashim faulted the commission for fixing politically sensitive activities around major religious periods that already carry enormous logistical and security challenges. He warned that combining party primaries with such religious observances could worsen tension and create avoidable disruptions.
“Combining election primaries with periods like Hajj and Ileya, which already carry security and mobility challenges, is unreasonable,” he said.
He added that party primaries often generate political tension and security concerns, insisting that such exercises require adequate spacing and proper planning. Compressing political and religious activities within the same period, according to him, unnecessarily increases national risk and could undermine stability within political parties.
The former presidential candidate further argued that the Electoral Act already provides sufficient timelines for political parties to complete nomination processes without resorting to what he described as a “chaotic timetable.” Citing Section 29(1) of the Electoral Act, he noted that political parties are expected to submit the names of candidates not later than 120 days before elections. This provision, he explained, effectively allows parties until mid-September to conclude their primaries.
“Why adopt a chaotic timetable circumventing the provisions of the Act?” he queried.
INEC released the timetable for the 2027 general elections as part of its statutory responsibility to conduct and regulate national polls. The commission has maintained that its schedules are designed to comply with constitutional and legal provisions governing electoral processes in Nigeria. The body has historically faced criticism from various political stakeholders over timing and logistics surrounding election preparations, though it has consistently defended its decisions as legally compliant.
Olawepo-Hashim warned that failure to review the timetable could deepen political tension and erode public confidence in the electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections. The call adds to mounting pressure on INEC to reconsider aspects of its electoral calendar as political parties begin preparations for internal democratic exercises expected to produce candidates for various elective positions nationwide.