The All Progressives Congress (APC) has rescheduled its presidential primary election to May 23, 2026, as part of adjustments to its timetable for the 2027 general elections.
The party also fixed its governorship primaries for May 21, 2026, following a review of its schedule to align with electoral requirements.
APC Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Duro Meseko, disclosed the changes on Thursday after the party’s 186th National Working Committee (NWC) meeting in Abuja.
He said the revised timetable was designed to comply with the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Electoral Act, 2026, and the schedule released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the 2027 polls.
According to him, the sale of nomination forms will commence on April 25 and close on May 2, while submission of completed forms has been fixed for May 4.
Screening of aspirants for various elective positions, including state Houses of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, governorship and presidential, will hold between May 6 and May 9, with presidential aspirants billed for May 9.
Meseko added that publication of screening results will take place on May 11, while appeals arising from the exercise will be entertained between May 12 and May 13.
Under the new timetable, the House of Representatives primaries are slated for May 15, Senate primaries for May 18, and state House of Assembly primaries for May 20.
He further stated that post-primary appeals would be handled on different dates, with the presidential appeal scheduled for May 25.
The APC spokesman also announced a separate timetable for ward, local government and state congresses in Zamfara State, beginning April 28.
On the mode of primaries, Meseko said the party had adopted both direct and consensus options as provided in the Electoral Act, noting that where consensus fails, the process would automatically revert to direct primaries.
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He dismissed speculations that nomination forms would be restricted to selected aspirants, insisting the process remained open.
Meanwhile, INEC has scheduled party primaries, including resolution of disputes, between April 23 and May 30, 2026.
The commission fixed January 16, 2027, for presidential and National Assembly elections, while governorship and State Houses of Assembly polls will hold on February 6, 2027.
Campaigns for presidential and National Assembly elections are to begin on August 19, 2026, while those for governorship and state assembly elections will commence on September 9, 2026.
