A man has claimed that the January 16, 2027 presidential election date could put Peter Obi and Igbo voters at a disadvantage.
He also alleged that many Igbo voters who registered for their PVCs outside their home states might travel for Christmas and other events.
Newsflash had reported that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed January 16, 2027, as the new date for the presidential and national assembly elections.
A Nigerian man has taken to social media to claim that the January 16, 2027 presidential election date could put Peter Obi and Igbo voters at a disadvantage, alleging that the timing was deliberately chosen to affect their participation.
The man made the claim in a statement circulating on X, where he argued that many Igbo people who registered for their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in Lagos, Abuja and other parts of the country could travel to their hometowns for Christmas, weddings, burials and other events.
Man alleges election date could affect Igbo voters amd Peter Obi
In the trending video, the man alleged that the decision to hold the presidential election on January 16 was intentional and could affect voters who support Peter Obi.
He said many Igbo people who registered for their PVCs outside their home states might travel during the festive period, potentially creating difficulties for those who need to vote at their designated polling units.
He said: “They Fixed The Presidential Election For January 16 Because They Know That Igbo People Will Still Be At Home For Christmas And May Not Be Able To Participate Fully In The Elections.”
He further claimed that the timing was intended to ensure that the election did not favour Igbo voters or Peter Obi.
Newsflash gathered these reactions from X, which shows the reactions of Nigerians towards the allegations.
Adebe Pius Cleverley @nicelyPIUS said, “If you truly want Nigeria to work then stay close to your polling unit. If you miss this December vacation with your village people for Nigeria to work, it’s not a big deal. They’ll always be next December after 365 days but election is every 4 years.
DeSwiss @DeSwiss_1 said, “This is just complaining nothing more You don’t expect a struggle to be easy in situations like that, no be Cho Cho Cho If you don’t go home one Christmas you will not kpai. At least it would be a sacrifice you have to pay to better your future Nothing good comes easily, if”
Onyeudo @_ManOfPeace_ said, “Must you travel for churistmas? If voting the right leader is very important to you, stay in your location. Stop the pity party and stop complaining. Igbos are not the only people in this country”
Politiking @politikinglife said, “What would any serious person still be doing in the village after 10th 11th 12th?”
Adams IBN Sadiq Adeika @ndah61 said, “Everything is against the igbos…what species of human are these people call igbos?”
Watch the video here:
“They Fixed The Presidential Election For January 16 Because They Know That Igbo People Will Still Be At Home For Christmas And May Not Be Able To Participate Fully In The Elections. It Puts Peter Obi And Igbo Voters At a Disadvantage Because Many Igbo People Who Registered For Their PVCs In Lagos, Abuja And Other Parts Of The Country Will Travel To Their Hometowns For Christmas, Weddings, Burials And Other Events. They Did This Intentionally To Ensure The Election Does Not Favour Peter Obi.” ~ Man Reacts
— Somto Okonkwo (@General_Somto) October 18, 2026
What INEC said about January 16 election date
confirm their polling-unit details ahead of election day.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed January 16, 2027, as the new date for the presidential and national assembly elections.
INEC also fixed February 6, 2027, as the date for governorship and the state houses of assembly election.
Mohammed Haruna, the national commissioner and chairman, information and voter education committee, announced the new election timetable in a statement issued on Thursday.
The electoral body had earlier scheduled February 20, 2027, for the presidential and national assembly elections and March 6, 2027, for the governorship and state houses of assembly elections but was forced to review the schedule following the repeal of the Electoral Act, 2022 and the enactment of the Electoral Act, 2026.
Haruna said the Electoral Act, 2026 introduced adjustments to statutory timelines governing pre-election and electoral activities, adding that the commission reviewed and realigned the earlier released schedule to ensure full compliance with the new legal framework.
“Accordingly, the Commission has resolved as follows: Presidential and National Assembly Elections will now hold on Saturday, 16th January 2027, Governorship and State Houses of Assembly Elections will now hold on Saturday, 6th February 2027,” the statement reads.
The national commissioner said in accordance with the approved schedule of activities, conduct of party primaries, including resolution of disputes arising from primaries, will commence on April 23, 2026, and end on May 30, 2026.
New to NewsFlashNGR? Follow us for breaking global and African news
