The All Progressives Congress (APC) has postponed its presidential and governorship primaries, shifting key dates in its preparations for the 2027 common elections.
Politics Nigeria reviews that the social gathering introduced that the presidential major, earlier scheduled for Might 15 and 16, will now maintain on Might 23, 2026.
The governorship primaries have additionally been moved and can now happen on Might 21, 2026. The choice follows a overview of the social gathering’s election timetable.
The adjustment was disclosed by the APC Deputy Nationwide Publicity Secretary, Duro Meseko, after the social gathering’s 186th Nationwide Working Committee assembly held in Abuja on Thursday. He mentioned the modifications have been made to align with present legal guidelines and the revised election timetable launched by the electoral physique.
Meseko said that the brand new timetable displays compliance with the Structure, the Electoral Act 2026, and the schedule launched for the 2027 elections. He added that social gathering members and state chapters had already been notified of the event earlier within the week.
He defined that the sale of nomination types will now start on April 25 and finish on Might 2, 2026. Submission of accomplished types is anticipated to shut on Might 4.
The social gathering additionally adjusted its screening course of. Screening for aspirants throughout totally different positions, together with governorship and legislative seats, will maintain between Might 6 and Might 8. Presidential aspirants might be screened on Might 9.
Based on him, outcomes of the screening might be revealed on Might 11. Appeals arising from the screening train might be dealt with between Might 12 and Might 13.
He additional outlined the up to date sequence of primaries. Home of Representatives primaries will maintain on Might 15, adopted by Senate primaries on Might 18. State Home of Meeting primaries are scheduled for Might 20, whereas governorship primaries will happen on Might 21. The presidential major will conclude the method on Might 23.
Meseko additionally mentioned post-primary appeals will comply with instantly after every train, ending with the presidential attraction course of on Might 25.
The APC spokesman famous that the social gathering has adopted each direct and consensus choices for choosing candidates, in step with the Electoral Act. He defined that aspirants are free to decide on their most well-liked methodology. The place consensus fails, the method will mechanically shift to direct primaries.
He dismissed claims that nomination types can be restricted to sure people, insisting that every one aspirants have equal entry.
The social gathering additionally launched a separate timetable for ward, native authorities, and state congresses in Zamfara State. These actions are set to start on April 28, with screenings and appeals scheduled inside the identical interval.
In the meantime, the Impartial Nationwide Electoral Fee has already fastened January 16, 2027, for the presidential and Nationwide Meeting elections. Governorship and State Meeting elections will comply with on February 6, 2027.
The fee had earlier directed that every one social gathering primaries have to be carried out between April 23 and Might 30, 2026. It additionally set August 19, 2026, as the beginning date for campaigns for presidential and Nationwide Meeting elections, whereas governorship campaigns will start on September 9.