The All Progressives Congress (APC) has postponed its presidential primary election to May 23, 2026, while the governorship primaries will now hold on May 21, 2026, following adjustments to its timetable for the 2027 general elections.
The party’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Duro Meseko, announced the changes on Thursday at the end of the 186th National Working Committee (NWC) meeting held in Abuja.
Meseko said the revised timetable was aligned with provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Electoral Act 2026, and the schedule issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
He explained that the sales of nomination forms would begin on April 25 and end on May 2, 2026, while submission of completed forms would close on May 4, 2026.
According to him, screening of aspirants for State House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, and Governorship positions will take place between May 6 and May 8, 2026, while presidential aspirants will be screened on May 9, 2026.
He added that publication of screening results is scheduled for May 11, with appeals expected to hold between May 12 and May 13, 2026.
Meseko further outlined the sequence of primary elections, noting that House of Representatives primaries would hold on May 15, Senate primaries on May 18, and State House of Assembly primaries on May 20, 2026.
He said governorship primaries would take place on May 21, while the presidential primary earlier slated for May 15 and 16 had been moved to May 23, 2026.
The party also approved the use of both direct and consensus methods for selecting candidates, in line with provisions of the Electoral Act 2026.
Meseko clarified that aspirants are free to choose their preferred mode of primary election, adding that where consensus fails to secure agreement among aspirants, the process will automatically revert to direct primaries.
He also dismissed rumours suggesting that nomination forms would be restricted to selected individuals, assuring that forms are available to all interested aspirants seeking elective offices under the party.
Meanwhile, INEC has scheduled the Presidential and National Assembly elections for January 16, 2027, while Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will be held on February 6, 2027.
The commission added that campaigns for Presidential and National Assembly elections will commence on August 19, 2026, while Governorship and State Assembly campaigns will begin on September 9, 2026.
