The All Progressives Congress (APC) has rescheduled its presidential primary election to May 23, 2026, from the earlier dates of May 15 and 16, as part of adjustments to its timetable for the 2027 general elections.
The party also fixed its governorship primaries for May 21, 2026, while other primary elections for legislative positions will hold on staggered dates within the same period.
Announcing the development at the end of the party’s 186th National Working Committee (NWC) meeting in Abuja, APC Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Duro Meseko, said the revisions align with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Electoral Act 2026, and the timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
As part of the revised schedule, the sale of nomination forms will run from April 25 to May 2, 2026, while the deadline for submission of completed forms has been fixed for May 4.
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, with the presidential screening slated for May 9. Results of the screening exercise are expected to be published on May 11, followed by appeals from May 12 to May 13.
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, leading up to the governorship and presidential primaries on May 21 and May 23 respectively.
Meseko disclosed that post-primary appeals will be heard between May 18 and May 25, depending on the category of election.
The party also approved a separate timetable for ward, local government and state congresses in Zamfara State, scheduled to commence on April 28, 2026, with appeals processes running through early May.
On the mode of primaries, the APC said it has adopted both direct and consensus options as provided under the Electoral Act.
According to the party, aspirants are free to choose their preferred mode, noting that where consensus fails, the process will automatically revert to direct primaries.
Meseko dismissed speculation that nomination forms would be restricted to select individuals, insisting that the process remains open to all qualified aspirants.
The revised timetable comes as INEC prepares for the 2027 general elections, with presidential and National Assembly polls scheduled for January 16, 2027, and governorship and state assembly elections fixed for February 6, 2027.
INEC has also set April 23 to May 30, 2026, as the window for political parties to conduct primaries and resolve related disputes, while campaign activities are expected to commence in August and September 2026 for federal and state elections respectively.