Edo South Senatorial District lawmaker, Neda Imasuen, has said that religious observances such as Lent or Ramadan should not influence the scheduling of Nigeria’s 2027 elections. Speaking in an interview on Arise Television’s “Morning Show,” the senator emphasized that elections are a civic responsibility that should transcend religious considerations.
Imasuen’s remarks come in response to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) schedule for the 2027 elections, which sets the Presidential and National Assembly elections for February 20, 2027, and the Governorship and State Assembly elections for March 6, 2027. The timetable has generated debate, with critics including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar calling for adjustments.
According to the senator, citizens should be educated to see voting as an essential duty, and that religious commitments should not prevent participation. “Irrespective of religious engagements, it wouldn’t take much for people to come out and vote,” he said, stressing the need to separate civic duties from religious observances.
Imasuen concluded that ensuring high voter turnout requires a mindset shift among Nigerians, focusing on the importance of exercising the right to vote. He urged both the government and electoral authorities to prioritize civic participation over religious timing when planning elections.
