Ogona Anita
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has postponed its presidential and governorship primaries, shifting key dates in its preparations for the 2027 general elections.
Nigeria reports that the party announced that the presidential primary, earlier scheduled for May 15 and 16, will now hold on May 23, 2026.
The governorship primaries have also been moved and will now take place on May 21, 2026. The decision follows a review of the party’s election timetable.
The adjustment was disclosed by the APC Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Duro Meseko, after the party’s 186th National Working Committee meeting held in Abuja on Thursday. He said the changes were made to align with existing laws and the revised election timetable released by the electoral body.
Meseko stated that the new timetable reflects compliance with the Constitution, the Electoral Act 2026, and the schedule released for the 2027 elections. He added that party members and state chapters had already been notified of the development earlier in the week.
He explained that the sale of nomination forms will now begin on April 25 and end on May 2, 2026. Submission of completed forms is expected to close on May 4.
The party also adjusted its screening process. Screening for aspirants across different positions, including governorship and legislative seats, will hold between May 6 and May 8. Presidential aspirants will be screened on May 9.
According to him, results of the screening will be published on May 11. Appeals arising from the screening exercise will be handled between May 12 and May 13.
He further outlined the updated sequence of primaries. House of Representatives primaries will hold on May 15, followed by Senate primaries on May 18. State House of Assembly primaries are scheduled for May 20, while governorship primaries will take place on May 21. The presidential primary will conclude the process on May 23.
Meseko also said post-primary appeals will follow immediately after each exercise, ending with the presidential appeal process on May 25.
The APC spokesman noted that the party has adopted both direct and consensus options for selecting candidates, in line with the Electoral Act. He explained that aspirants are free to choose their preferred method. Where consensus fails, the process will automatically shift to direct primaries.
He dismissed claims that nomination forms would be restricted to certain individuals, insisting that all interested aspirants have equal access.
The party also released a separate timetable for ward, local government, and state congresses in Zamfara State. These activities are set to begin on April 28, with screenings and appeals scheduled within the same period.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission has already fixed January 16, 2027, for the presidential and National Assembly elections. Governorship and State Assembly elections will follow on February 6, 2027.
The commission had earlier directed that all party primaries must be conducted between April 23 and May 30, 2026. It also set August 19, 2026, as the start date for campaigns for presidential and National Assembly elections, while governorship campaigns will begin on September 9.
