The All Progressives Congress (APC) has adjusted its timetable for the 2027 general elections, shifting both its presidential and governorship primaries as part of a broader revision of its schedule of activities.
The party announced that the presidential primary, earlier fixed for May 15 and 16, will now hold on May 23, 2026, while the governorship primaries have been rescheduled for May 21, 2026.
APC Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Duro Meseko, disclosed this while briefing journalists after the party’s 186th National Working Committee (NWC) meeting, explaining that the changes were made to align with constitutional provisions, the Electoral Act 2026, and the revised timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“We now have a new revised timetable in accordance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, the Electoral Act 2026, and the Independent National Electoral Commission revised timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general elections,” Meseko said.
“We hereby present the new revised timetable and schedule of activities for the conduct of the 2027 general elections to the press.”
He noted that state chapters had already been notified of the changes on April 20, while the sale of nomination forms would begin on Saturday, April 25, and end on May 2, 2026.
“Sales of forms will commence this Saturday, 25th April, to Saturday, 2nd May, 2026. The last day for submission of completed forms and accompanying documents is now Monday, 4th May, 2026,” he stated.
Meseko further outlined the schedule for screening of aspirants across all elective positions.
According to him, screening for House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, and governorship aspirants will hold from May 6 to May 8, while presidential aspirants will be screened on May 9.
He added that the publication of screening results for all offices would take place on May 11, while appeals would be handled between May 12 and May 13.
On the revised primary election dates, he said: “Primary elections of the All Progressives Congress commence as follows: Friday, 15th May, 2026: House of Representatives primary elections. Monday, 18th May, 2026: Senate primary elections. Wednesday, 20th May, 2026: State House of Assembly primary elections. Thursday, 21st May, 2026: Governorship primary elections. Saturday, 23rd May, 2026: Presidential primary elections.”
The APC also confirmed that it would adopt both direct and consensus modes of primaries, in line with the Electoral Act, allowing aspirants to choose their preferred option where applicable.
“In this 186th meeting of the National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress, we adopted the mode of primaries as provided in the Electoral Act: direct and consensus mode, with a caveat that members are at liberty to pick,” Meseko said.
“That is, aspirants are free to decide their preference in accordance with the Electoral Act. Where consensus works, it stands, and where an aspirant does not agree to consensus, it automatically reverts to direct primaries.”
He also dismissed speculations that nomination forms would be restricted to selected aspirants, insisting that all interested party members have equal access.
“There was also a rumour that forms would be restricted or limited to certain individuals. I am here to inform all party faithful and aspirants that nomination forms for all aspirants seeking offices under the All Progressives Congress are available for all, not exclusively reserved for any individual,” he added.
Meseko also announced the timetable for APC ward, local government, and state congresses in Zamfara State, beginning April 28, 2026, with ward congresses scheduled for April 30.
Appeals arising from the congresses and screenings will run through May 3.
The timetable adjustment comes as INEC intensifies preparations for the 2027 elections, with presidential and National Assembly polls slated for January 16, 2027, while governorship and state assembly elections are scheduled for February 6, 2027.
