The All Progressives Congress has pushed its presidential primary from May 15-16 to May 23, 2026, with governorship primaries now set for May 21, under a revised timetable for the 2027 general elections.
Deputy National Publicity Secretary Duro Meseko announced the changes Thursday after the party’s 186th National Working Committee meeting in Abuja. He said the adjustments align with the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act 2026, and INEC’s updated schedule for the 2027 polls.
■ Key dates in the new timetable:
*Sales of forms:* Saturday, April 25 to Saturday, May 2, 2026.
■ Deadline for submission: Monday, May 4, 2026.
*Screening of aspirants:* Wednesday, May 6 to Friday, May 8, 2026 for House of Assembly, Reps, Senate, and Governorship. Presidential screening holds Saturday, May 9, 2026.
*Publication of screening results:* Monday, May 11, 2026.
Screening appeals: Tuesday, May 12 to Wednesday, May 13, 2026.
■ Primary elections:
– *House of Representatives:* Friday, May 15, 2026
– *Senate:* Monday, May 18, 2026
– *State House of Assembly:* Wednesday, May 20, 2026
– *Governorship:* Thursday, May 21, 2026
– *Presidential:* Saturday, May 23, 2026
*Post-primary appeals:* Reps – May 18; Senate – May 20; State Assembly – date not stated; Governorship – May 23; Presidential – May 25, 2026.
Meseko said notice of the changes went to state chapters on Monday, April 20.
■Zamfara congresses
The NWC also approved a schedule for ward, LGA, and state congresses in Zamfara beginning Tuesday, April 28, 2026. Ward congresses hold Thursday, April 30. LGA and state congresses follow, with appeals slated for May 1 and May 3, 2026.
■ Mode of primaries
Meseko said the party adopted direct primary and consensus as provided in the Electoral Act 2026. “Aspirants are free to decide their preference,” he said. “Where consensus works, it stands. Where an aspirant does not agree to consensus, it automatically reverts to direct primaries.”
He dismissed claims that nomination forms would be restricted. “Forms for all aspirants seeking offices under the APC are available for all, not exclusively reserved for any individual,” he said.
■ INEC dates
INEC has fixed Presidential and National Assembly elections for Saturday, January 16, 2027, and Governorship/State Assembly polls for Saturday, February 6, 2027. Party primaries and disputes must run between April 23 and May 30, 2026. Campaigns start August 19, 2026 for federal elections and September 9, 2026 for state elections.