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By Lawrence Agbo
All Progressives Congress (APC) has shifted its presidential and governorship primaries as part of adjustments to its timetable for the 2027 general elections.
The party’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Duro Meseko, announced that the presidential primary, earlier scheduled for May 15 and 16, will now hold on May 23, 2026, while the governorship primaries have been moved to May 21, 2026.
Meseko said the changes were made in line with the Constitution, the Electoral Act 2026, and the revised timetable issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
He also disclosed that other key activities, including the screening of aspirants and appeals, have been rescheduled to accommodate the new dates. According to him, the sale of nomination forms will run from April 25 to May 2, with submission closing on May 4, 2026.
“We now have a new revised timetable in accordance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, the Electoral Act 2026, and the Independent National Electoral Commission revised timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general elections. “We hereby present the new revised timetable and schedule of activities for the conduct of the 2027 general elections to the press.
“Notice had already been given to state chapters on Monday, 20th April. Sales of forms will commence this Saturday, 25th April, to Saturday, 2nd May, 2026. The last day for submission of completed forms and accompanying documents is now Monday, 4th May, 2026. Screening of aspirants – House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, Governorship, and Presidential—will hold as follows: Wednesday, 6th May to Friday, 8th May, 2026, for House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, and Governorship screening respectively. Saturday, 9th May, 2026, is the screening for Presidential aspirants.
“Publication of screening results for State House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, Governorship, and Presidential will hold on Monday, 11th May, 2026. Screening appeals will be handled by the appeal committees from Tuesday, 12th May to Wednesday, 13th May, 2026, for the State House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, Governorship, and Presidential.
“Primary elections of the All Progressives Congress commence as follows: Friday, 15th May, 2026: House of Representatives primary elections. Monday, 18th May, 2026: Senate primary elections. Wednesday, 20th May, 2026: State House of Assembly primary elections. Thursday, 21st May, 2026: Governorship primary elections. Saturday, 23rd May, 2026: Presidential primary elections,” Meseko stated.
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The APC further confirmed that it will adopt both direct and consensus modes of primaries, in line with provisions of the Electoral Act, allowing aspirants to choose their preferred method where applicable.
“That is one of the resolutions today. The second is the schedule of activities and timetable for the 2026 ward, LGA, and state congresses in Zamfara State, beginning Tuesday, 28th April, 2026. The ward congresses, LGA congresses, and state congresses will commence on that date.
“Screening of aspirants for ward executive positions will follow on Wednesday, 29th April, 2026. Ward congresses will be held on Thursday, 30th April, 2026. Appeals from ward screening and ward congresses will be held on Friday, 1st May, 2026. Appeals arising from LGA congresses and screening of state executive members will also be held on the same day. Appeals arising from state congresses will be held on Sunday, 3rd May, 2026. That is the timetable for the congresses in Zamfara state,” he continued.
Meseko added that nomination forms remain open to all aspirants, dismissing speculation that they would be restricted to select individuals.
The adjustments come as INEC prepares for the 2027 elections, with presidential and National Assembly polls slated for January 16, 2027, and governorship and state assembly elections set for February 6, 2027.
“In this 186th meeting of the National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress, we adopted the mode of primaries as provided in the Electoral Act: direct and consensus mode, with a caveat that members are at liberty to pick.
“That is, aspirants are free to decide their preference in accordance with the Electoral Act. Where consensus works, it stands, and where an aspirant does not agree to consensus, it automatically reverts to direct primaries.
“There was also a rumour that forms would be restricted or limited to certain individuals. I am here to inform all party faithful and aspirants that nomination forms for all aspirants seeking offices under the All Progressives Congress are available for all, not exclusively reserved for any individual,” he added.
