The All Progressives Congress (APC) has rescheduled its presidential and governorship primary elections, unveiling a revised timetable for its activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Under the new schedule, the party’s presidential primary—initially fixed for May 15 and 16—will now take place on May 23, 2026. The governorship primaries have also been moved to May 21, 2026.
The changes were announced on Thursday in Abuja after the 186th meeting of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC). APC Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Duro Meseko, said the adjustments also affect earlier timelines for screening aspirants and handling appeals.
According to the updated timetable, the sale of nomination forms will run from April 25 to May 2, 2026, while the submission deadline for completed forms is now May 4, 2026. Screening of aspirants for various positions—State House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, and governorship—will hold from May 6 to May 8, while presidential aspirants will be screened on May 9.
Screening results will be released on May 11, followed by appeals from May 12 to May 13.
Primary elections will proceed in stages: House of Representatives on May 15, Senate on May 18, State House of Assembly on May 20, governorship on May 21, and the presidential primary on May 23.
Meseko added that post-primary appeals will be heard on different dates between May 18 and May 25, depending on the office contested.
He noted that the revised schedule aligns with the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Electoral Act 2026, and the timetable issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the 2027 elections.
The party also approved a separate timetable for ward, local government, and state congresses in Zamfara State, beginning April 28, 2026, with subsequent activities including screenings, congresses, and appeals scheduled through early May.
On the mode of primaries, Meseko said the APC has adopted both direct and consensus options as provided in the Electoral Act, allowing aspirants to choose their preferred method. He clarified that where consensus fails, the process will automatically revert to direct primaries.
He also dismissed claims that nomination forms would be restricted, stressing that they remain open to all interested aspirants within the party.
Meanwhile, INEC has fixed January 16, 2027, for the presidential and National Assembly elections, while governorship and state assembly elections will be held on February 6, 2027. The commission stated that party primaries are scheduled to take place between April 23 and May 30, 2026, with campaigns set to begin in August and September respectively.
READ ALSO:
- GRIT TO GLORY: OLADITI EMERGES AS NUPENG PRESIDENT IN A DEFINING MOMENT
- Crowds Flood Ibadan to Welcome Atiku Abubakar for Opposition Leaders’ Summit
- Water Shortage Hits Transcorp Hilton Abuja, Guests Forced to Fetch Water
- Oyedele Takes the Helm As Nigeria Finance Minister
- Court Rules Police, FRSC Cannot Fine Motorists for Insurance Violations Without Court Approval
