Atiku Abubakar, former vice president, has demanded an urgent review of the newly announced February 20, 2027 date for the presidential election, warning that conducting the polls during the holy month of Ramadan reflects “poor judgment” and a lack of sensitivity to the nation’s socio-religious realities.

In a statement released on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Saturday, the 2023 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate expressed shock that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) would schedule such a physically demanding exercise in the middle of a sacred period of fasting for millions of Nigerian Muslims.

Atiku pointed out that the February 20 date falls squarely within the projected window for Ramadan 2027, which is expected to run from February 7 to March 8.

He argued that forcing Muslim voters to endure the rigors of election day, often characterized by long queues and harsh weather, while observing the fast is a recipe for voter apathy and disenfranchisement.

“The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) must urgently reconsider the February 20, 2027 date it has announced for the general elections.

“That date falls squarely within the Ramadan period… a sacred season of fasting, reflection, and spiritual devotion for millions of Nigerian Muslims,” Atiku stated.

The former Vice President emphasized that voting in Nigeria is not merely a bureaucratic process but a strenuous physical activity that requires energy and focus, resources that are naturally conserved during the fast.

“Elections are not mere administrative rituals; they are national exercises that demand maximum participation, physical endurance, and collective focus.

“Fixing such a critical civic exercise in the middle of a major religious observance reflects poor judgment and a troubling lack of sensitivity to the nation’s socio-religious realities,” he wrote.

Atiku went further to question the competence of the electoral umpire, suggesting that the inability to navigate a basic issue like scheduling casts doubt on the commission’s readiness to handle the complexities of a general election.

“In a diverse country like Nigeria, inclusive planning is not optional, it is fundamental. If INEC struggles with getting a simple matter of timing right, Nigerians are justified in asking.

“What assurance do we have that it will competently deliver free, fair, and credible elections in 2027?” Atiku noted.

The criticism follows INEC’s announcement on Friday, which fixed the presidential and National Assembly elections for February 20, 2027.

While the commission has cited legal compliance for the timeline, Atiku’s intervention has now opened a new front of controversy, with likely pressure mounting on the commission to adjust the schedule to accommodate religious sensitivities.