Campaigns for the 2027 governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections officially begin today, September 8, in line with the timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The commencement opens the political space for candidates contesting executive and legislative positions in 28 states to engage directly with voters ahead of the elections.
Candidates and their parties can now intensify their campaigns through rallies, town hall meetings, media engagements, grassroots mobilisation and other legally permitted platforms.
The INEC timetable provides for different campaign periods for the various categories of elections.
Campaigns for the presidential and National Assembly elections commenced on August 19, three weeks ahead of the opening of campaigns for governorship and State Assembly candidates.
The latest development is expected to further increase political activities across the country as parties seek to consolidate their structures and reach voters at the grassroots.
Checks indicate that major political parties, including the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and African Democratic Congress (ADC), have fielded governorship candidates in the 28 states participating in the elections.
However, despite the formal commencement of campaigns, some major political parties are yet to fully establish or activate their campaign structures.
The situation could affect the pace at which parties commence coordinated campaign activities across the states.
The APC recently announced the composition of its national campaign council but has yet to formally inaugurate the body.
Party sources reportedly attributed the delay to complaints and public criticism over the inclusion of some controversial figures in the council.
The party leadership is said to be reviewing the appointments and considering possible adjustments to the membership before the council is officially inaugurated.
Opposition parties, including the NDC, ADC and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), are also yet to inaugurate their central campaign structures or state-level campaign committees.
Political analysts have linked the delays to lingering disagreements following party primaries, financial pressures and ongoing discussions over possible political alliances ahead of the 2027 general elections.
With the 150-day campaign period for the governorship and State Assembly elections now underway, political activities are expected to intensify in the coming weeks.
Parties are expected to finalise their campaign structures, mobilise supporters and take their candidates’ programmes and manifestos to voters across the participating states.
The campaign period is also expected to provide voters with opportunities to assess candidates and their policy proposals ahead of the polls.
READ MORE: INEC Fixes September 19 for Five By-Elections in Four States
The governorship election will not take place in eight states during the 2027 general elections because their electoral cycles differ from the general election timetable.
The affected states are Imo, Ondo, Osun, Bayelsa, Edo, Kogi, Ekiti and Anambra.
According to Daily Trust, the governorship elections in those states will be conducted according to their respective electoral calendars.
The September 8 commencement of governorship and State Assembly campaigns marks another major phase in Nigeria’s preparation for the 2027 elections.
While parties are expected to intensify grassroots mobilisation, unresolved internal issues, funding challenges and campaign-structure delays could shape the pace of political activities in the weeks ahead.