By Ndudirim Sylvia Iloka
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has unveiled a revised timetable for its primary elections ahead of the 2027 general elections, shifting key dates for presidential and governorship contests as part of adjustments to its internal electoral process.
The announcement was made on Thursday, April 23, 2026, during a press briefing at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja, where the Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Duro Meseko, spoke to journalists after a meeting of the National Working Committee.
Meseko said the decision followed a review of the earlier schedule to ensure smoother coordination of activities and full compliance with the framework guiding the forthcoming elections. He noted that the party considered the sequence of its pre-primary engagements and the need to conclude all processes within the approved window.
According to the revised timetable, the presidential primary will now take place on May 23, 2026, while the governorship primaries have been fixed for May 21. The adjustment, he explained, allows the party to properly manage the buildup to the exercises and avoid overlaps that could disrupt the process.
Activities leading to the primaries will begin with the sale of expression of interest and nomination forms from April 25 to May 2. Aspirants are expected to submit completed forms on or before May 4, after which the screening process will commence.
Screening for National Assembly and governorship aspirants is scheduled for May 6 to May 8, while presidential aspirants will be screened on May 9. The party is expected to publish the outcome of the screening on May 11, with appeals to be handled between May 12 and May 13.
The primaries themselves will proceed in stages, beginning with the House of Representatives on May 15, followed by the Senate on May 18 and State House of Assembly on May 20. Governorship primaries will hold on May 21, with the presidential primary bringing the exercise to a close on May 23.
Meseko said arrangements have also been made to address disputes arising from each stage of the primaries without delay, adding that the party is committed to ensuring that grievances are resolved quickly to maintain stability within its ranks.
He reaffirmed that all eligible aspirants would be given a fair opportunity to participate, with the mode of primaries to be determined in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act and the party’s constitution.
