APC Shifts Presidential Primary to May 23, Adjusts 2027 Election Timetable
The All Progressives Congress, APC, has rescheduled its presidential primary election from May 15 and 16 to May 23, 2026, as part of adjustments to its timetable for the 2027 general elections.
The party also moved its governorship primaries to May 21, 2026, according to decisions reached at the 186th National Working Committee meeting held in Abuja on Thursday.
APC Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Duro Meseko, announced the revised schedule while briefing journalists after the meeting.
He said, “We now have a new revised timetable in accordance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Electoral Act 2026, and the Independent National Electoral Commission timetable for the 2027 general elections.”
Meseko disclosed that the sale of nomination forms will begin on April 25 and end on May 2, while the deadline for submission of completed forms has been fixed for May 4, 2026.
He added that screening of aspirants for various offices will hold between May 6 and May 9, while screening results are expected to be released on May 11.
According to the revised timetable, primary elections will now hold in the following order: House of Representatives, May 15 while that of Senate will hold on May 18. State House of Assembly will be on May 20th, and that of Governorship is on May 21st, and the Presidential primary is scheduled on May 23rd.
Meseko further stated that the party has adopted two methods for selecting candidates — direct primaries and consensus. He said, “Where consensus works, it stands, and where an aspirant does not agree to consensus, it automatically reverts to direct primaries.”
He also dismissed speculations that nomination forms would be reserved for selected individuals.
“Forms for all aspirants seeking offices under the APC are available for everyone and not exclusively meant for any person,” he said.
The APC spokesman also announced a separate timetable for ward, local government and state congresses in Zamfara State, beginning April 28, 2026.
