By Kayode Olasehinde
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has postponed its presidential primary election to May 23, 2026, from the earlier dates of May 15 and 16, as part of a revised timetable for its preparations toward the 2027 general elections.
The party’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Duro Meseko said in a statement that the party also fixed its governorship primaries for May 21, 2026 following the 186th National Working Committee (NWC) meeting held in Abuja, Thursday.
Meseko said the adjustments affect several key pre-primary activities, including the screening of aspirants and the handling of appeals, all aligned with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 and the timetable issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Under the revised schedule, the sale of nomination forms will run from April 25 to May 2, 2026, while submission of completed forms will close on May 4. Screening of aspirants for State Houses of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, and governorship positions will take place from May 6 to May 8, with presidential aspirants screened on May 9.
The party will publish screening results on May 11, while appeals arising from the exercise will be entertained between May 12 and May 13.
Primary elections will commence with the House of Representatives on May 15, followed by the Senate on May 18, State Houses of Assembly on May 20, and governorship contests on May 21. The presidential primary will now hold on May 23.
Post-primary appeals have also been scheduled, beginning May 18 for House of Representatives aspirants and ending May 25 for presidential hopefuls.
In addition, the APC approved a separate timetable for ward, local government, and state congresses in Zamfara State, starting April 28, 2026. Ward congresses will hold on April 30, followed by a series of appeal processes through May 3.
Meseko disclosed that the party would adopt both direct and consensus modes of primaries, as permitted under the Electoral Act, stressing that aspirants are free to choose their preferred option. He clarified that where consensus fails, the process will automatically revert to direct primaries.
He also dismissed speculations that nomination forms would be restricted, assuring that they remain open to all interested aspirants.
Meanwhile, INEC has scheduled the presidential and National Assembly elections for January 16, 2027, while governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will take place on February 6, 2027.
The commission stated that party primaries and resolution of disputes must be concluded between April 23 and May 30, 2026. Campaigns for presidential and National Assembly elections will begin on August 19, while governorship and state assembly campaigns will commence on September 9, 2026.
The APC’s revised timetable is expected to reshape early permutations within the ruling party as aspirants recalibrate their strategies ahead of the primaries.
