Felicia Asuquo, Abuja
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has postponed its presidential and governorship primaries as part of adjustments to its timetable for the 2027 general elections.
In a release signed by the APC Deputy National Publicity secretary,Duru Meseko,the party’s presidential primary, initially fixed for May 15 and 16, will now take place on May 23, 2026, while the governorship primaries have been moved to May 21, 2026.
Meseko announced the changes on Thursday in Abuja following the party’s 186th National Working Committee (NWC) meeting. He said the adjustments also affect key pre-primary activities, including the screening of aspirants and the handling of appeals.
According to the new timetable, the sale of nomination forms will run from April 25 to May 2, 2026, while the submission deadline for completed forms is now May 4, 2026.
Screening of aspirants for State Houses of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, and governorship positions is scheduled for May 6 to May 8, with presidential aspirants to be screened on May 9.
The publication of screening results will follow on May 11, while appeals will be considered between May 12 and May 13.
The party also outlined dates for its primaries: House of Representatives primaries on May 15, Senate primaries on May 18, State House of Assembly primaries on May 20, governorship primaries on May 21, and the presidential primary on May 23.
Post-primary appeals will be heard on different dates, concluding with the presidential appeals on May 25, 2026.
Meseko explained that the revised timetable aligns with the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Electoral Act 2026, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) schedule for the 2027 polls.
In addition, the APC approved a separate timetable for ward, local government, and state congresses in Zamfara State, set to begin on April 28, 2026. The process will include screenings, congresses, and appeals at various levels, concluding on May 3.
He further noted that the party will adopt both direct and consensus modes of primaries, as provided in the Electoral Act. Aspirants, he said, are free to choose their preferred option, but where consensus fails, the process will automatically revert to direct primaries.
Meseko also dismissed claims that nomination forms would be restricted to certain individuals, insisting that they are available to all interested aspirants.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled the presidential and National Assembly elections for January 16, 2027, and governorship and state assembly elections for February 6, 2027.
It will be recalled that INEC added that party primaries must be conducted between April 23 and May 30, 2026, while campaigns for presidential and National Assembly elections will begin on August 19, 2026.
Campaigns for governorship and state assembly elections are expected to commence on September 9, 2026.