Amid preparations for the 2027 elections, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has adjusted its primary election schedule, postponing its presidential primary to May 23, 2026, while revising other key activities.
The party also shifted its governorship primaries to May 21, 2026, as part of a broader review of its timetable in line with electoral requirements.
The APC Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Duro Meseko, disclosed the changes on Thursday after the party’s 186th National Working Committee meeting held in Abuja.
Meseko explained that the adjustments were made to align with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Electoral Act 2026, and the timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission for the 2027 general elections.
“We now have a new revised timetable in accordance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, the Electoral Act 2026, and the Independent National Electoral Commission revised timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general elections,” he said.
According to him, the sale of nomination forms will begin on April 25 and end on May 2, 2026, while the deadline for submission of completed forms has been fixed for May 4, 2026.
He added that screening of aspirants for various positions — including State Houses of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, governorship, and presidential — will take place between May 6 and May 9, 2026, with presidential aspirants scheduled for screening on May 9.
“Publication of screening results will hold on Monday, 11th May, 2026, while screening appeals will be handled between May 12 and May 13, 2026,” Meseko said.
The revised timetable shows that primary elections for the House of Representatives will hold on May 15, Senate primaries on May 18, and State House of Assembly primaries on May 20.
Governorship primaries have been fixed for May 21, while the presidential primary will now take place on May 23, 2026.
Meseko further disclosed that post-primary appeal committees would sit on different dates depending on the offices contested, with the presidential appeal scheduled for May 25, 2026.
He also announced a separate timetable for ward, local government, and state congresses in Zamfara State, set to commence on April 28, 2026.
According to him, the party has adopted both direct and consensus modes of primary elections, as provided under the Electoral Act, allowing aspirants to choose their preferred option.
“In this meeting, we adopted the mode of primaries as provided in the Electoral Act: direct and consensus mode. Where consensus fails, it automatically reverts to direct primaries,” he said.
Meseko dismissed claims that nomination forms would be restricted to certain individuals, insisting that the process is open to all qualified aspirants.
“I am here to inform all party faithful and aspirants that nomination forms for all aspirants seeking offices under the All Progressives Congress are available for all, not exclusively reserved for any individual,” he added.
The electoral timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission indicates that party primaries, including dispute resolution, are scheduled to take place between April 23 and May 30, 2026.
INEC has fixed January 16, 2027, for the presidential and National Assembly elections, while governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections are scheduled for February 6, 2027.
The commission also stated that campaigns for presidential and National Assembly elections will begin on August 19, 2026, while campaigns for governorship and state assembly elections will commence on September 9, 2026.
