APC Reschedules Presidential Primary to May 23, Adjusts Full 2027 Election Timetable
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has rescheduled its presidential and governorship primaries, altering key dates as part of its build-up to the 2027 general elections.
Findings obtained by PulseNets show that the party moved its presidential primary, initially fixed for May 15 and 16, to a new date of May 23, 2026.
The governorship primaries have also been shifted and are now slated for May 21, 2026, following a review of the party’s electoral timetable.
PulseNets learnt that the adjustment was made public by the APC Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Duro Meseko, after the party’s 186th National Working Committee meeting held in Abuja on Thursday. He explained that the revisions were necessary to ensure alignment with extant laws and the updated election schedule released by the electoral body.
Meseko stated that the revised timetable reflects strict compliance with constitutional provisions, the Electoral Act 2026, and the official schedule for the 2027 elections. He further disclosed that party stakeholders, including state chapters, had been duly informed earlier in the week.
According to details obtained by PulseNets, the sale of nomination forms will commence on April 25 and close on May 2, 2026, while the submission of completed forms is expected to end on May 4.
The party has also reviewed its screening timetable. Screening of aspirants for various offices, including governorship and legislative positions, will hold from May 6 to May 8, while presidential aspirants are scheduled for screening on May 9.
Further information obtained by PulseNets indicates that the results of the screening exercise will be released on May 11, with appeals arising from the process slated for May 12 and May 13.
Meseko outlined the sequence of primaries, noting that House of Representatives primaries will be conducted on May 15, followed by Senate primaries on May 18. State House of Assembly primaries are fixed for May 20, while governorship primaries will take place on May 21. The presidential primary is scheduled to conclude the exercise on May 23.
He also disclosed that post-primary appeals will commence immediately after each exercise, culminating in the presidential appeal process on May 25.
PulseNets reported that the APC has adopted both direct and consensus options for the emergence of candidates, in accordance with provisions of the Electoral Act. Meseko clarified that aspirants retain the freedom to choose their preferred mode, adding that where consensus arrangements fail, the process will default to direct primaries.
He dismissed speculations suggesting that nomination forms would be restricted to selected individuals, maintaining that all interested aspirants will have equal access.
In a related development, the party released a separate timetable for ward, local government, and state congresses in Zamfara State. These activities are expected to commence on April 28, with screenings and appeals scheduled within the same timeframe.
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Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has already fixed January 16, 2027, for the presidential and National Assembly elections, while governorship and State Assembly elections are scheduled for February 6, 2027.
The commission had earlier directed that all political parties must conduct their primaries between April 23 and May 30, 2026. It also set August 19, 2026, as the commencement date for campaigns for presidential and National Assembly elections, while governorship campaigns will begin on September 9.
