The All Progressives Congress has fixed May 16 and May 23, 2026 for the conduct of its presidential and governorship primary elections ahead of the 2027 general elections.
APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, who made this public on Monday, disclosed that in the ruling party’s timetable signed by the National Organising Secretary, Sulaiman Argungu, presidential aspirants will pay N100 million for expression of interest and nomination forms, governorship aspirants N50 million, Senate aspirants N20 million, and House of Representatives aspirants N10 million.
The Independent National Electoral Commission has fixed the Presidential and National Assembly elections for Saturday, January 16, 2027, while the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections are scheduled for Saturday, February 6, 2027.
The Commission also stated that party primaries, including the resolution of disputes arising from them, will take place between April 23, 2026 and May 30, 2026.
According to INEC, campaigns for the Presidential and National Assembly elections will begin on August 19, 2026, while campaigns for the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will commence on September 9, 2026.
As stated in the APC timetable, the sale of forms will run from April 25 to May 2 at the party’s National Headquarters in Wuse II, Abuja, while May 4 is the deadline for the submission of completed forms.
The timetable also shows that screening for presidential aspirants is scheduled for May 9, while other aspirants will be screened between May 6 and May 8, with further screening activities slated for May 12 and May 13.
Primary elections are scheduled for May 18 for the House of Representatives, May 20 for the Senate, and May 21 for State House of Assembly candidates.
It further stated that State House of Assembly aspirants will pay N6 million for both expression of interest and nomination forms.
Female aspirants, youths, and persons with disabilities are required to pay only for the expression of interest form and 50 per cent of the nomination fees for their respective positions.
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Morka assured APC members that the ruling party remains committed to conducting credible and transparent primary elections.
The statement read in pary, “The APC reassures members, stakeholders, and Nigerians of its commitment to conducting a credible and transparent primary election that will further strengthen the Party’s internal democracy and consolidate its progressive ideals.”
Meanwhile, the National Executive Committee of the Nyesom Wike-backed Peoples Democratic Party, on Monday, adopted a timetable for its 2027 general election activities, setting the stage for nationwide primaries.
The PDP has been engulfed in a prolonged internal crisis marked by factional divisions. One bloc led by Tanimu Turaki is supported by Governors Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, while the opposing group under Mohammed has the backing of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
Both factions have filed multiple court cases that are still pending as they seek legal resolution over control of the party.
However, the party’s spokesperson, Haruna Mohammed Jungudo, said full details of the timetable would be released by the National Working Committee after concluding administrative processes.
At its 108th NEC meeting held at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja, the PDP declared that it had emerged from its recent internal crisis, stating that the “era of uncertainty is over.” The party maintained that it remains “strong, united and formidable,” dismissing speculations of internal disarray.
In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting and signed by Jungudo, the NEC expressed confidence in the newly elected NWC led by National Chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed.
Reaffirming party cohesion, the committee emphasised the need for reconciliation among aggrieved members and stakeholders, insisting that disputes must be resolved through dialogue and in line with established party structures and democratic principles.
As part of preparations for the 2027 elections, the NEC approved a comprehensive timetable for party primaries, including the sale of Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms. It directed all party organs to strictly adhere to the schedule to ensure a transparent and credible nomination process.
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