APC postpones presidential, governorship primaries, releases revised timetable
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has shifted its presidential primary election from May 15 and 16 to May 23, 2026, while governorship primaries will now hold on May 21, 2026, as part of a revised timetable for its 2027 general election activities.
The party also adjusted earlier schedules for screening of aspirants and consideration of appeals.
The APC Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Duro Meseko, disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja after the 186th meeting of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).
Meseko said the adjustments were made in line with the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Electoral Act 2026, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) timetable for the 2027 general elections.
He said, “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.
“We hereby present the new revised timetable and schedule of activities for the conduct of the 2027 general elections to the press.
“Notice had already been given to state chapters on Monday, 20th April. Sales of forms will commence this Saturday, 25th April, to Saturday, 2nd May, 2026. The last day for submission of completed forms and accompanying documents is now Monday, 4th May, 2026.”
According to him, screening of aspirants for all levels, including House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, governorship and presidential tickets, will take place between Wednesday, 6th May and Saturday, 9th May, 2026.
He added that screening results will be released on Monday, 11th May, while appeals will be heard between 12th and 13th May, 2026.
Meseko said the primaries will begin with House of Representatives on 15th May, Senate on 18th May, State Assembly on 20th May, governorship on 21st May, and presidential primary on 23rd May, 2026.
He further explained that post-primary appeals will hold between 18th and 25th May, depending on the category of election.
Meseko also disclosed that the NWC approved the timetable for ward, local government and state congresses in Zamfara State, beginning 28th April, 2026.
He said the party also adopted both direct and consensus modes of primary elections as provided in the Electoral Act.
“In this 186th meeting of the National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress, we adopted the mode of primaries as provided in the Electoral Act: direct and consensus mode,” he said.
He added that aspirants remain free to choose their preferred option, stressing that consensus will only stand where all parties agree.
Meseko also dismissed reports suggesting that nomination forms would be restricted, insisting they are available to all aspirants.
Meanwhile, INEC has fixed the presidential and National Assembly elections for Saturday, 16th January, 2027, while governorship and state assembly elections will hold on Saturday, 6th February, 2027.
The commission also announced that party primaries and resolution of disputes will run from 23rd April to 30th May, 2026, while campaigns will begin on 19th August, 2026, for presidential and National Assembly elections, and 9th September, 2026, for governorship and state assemblies.
