2027: APC postpones presidential, governorship primaries -

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has revised its timetable for the 2027 general elections, shifting its presidential primary election to May 23, 2026, from the earlier dates of May 15 and 16. The governorship primaries have also been rescheduled to May 21, 2026.

The party’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Duro Meseko, announced the changes after the 186th National Working Committee meeting held in Abuja. He said the adjustments affect several key activities, including the screening of aspirants and the handling of appeals.

Under the updated schedule, the sale of nomination forms will run from April 25 to May 2, 2026, while completed forms must be submitted by May 4. Screening of aspirants for various positions—including state and federal legislative seats, governorship, and the presidency—will take place between May 6 and May 9. Screening results are expected on May 11, followed by appeal processes from May 12 to May 13.

Primary elections will be conducted in stages: House of Representatives primaries on May 15, Senate on May 18, and State House of Assembly on May 20. Governorship primaries will hold on May 21, while the presidential primary is slated for May 23. Appeals following the primaries will run between May 18 and May 25, depending on the position.

Meseko also outlined a separate timetable for ward, local government, and state congresses in Zamfara State, beginning April 28, 2026, with various screening and appeal processes continuing through early May.

He added that the party will adopt both direct and consensus methods for its primaries, as provided in the Electoral Act, allowing aspirants to choose their preferred approach. He also dismissed claims that nomination forms would be restricted, stating 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, while governorship and state assembly elections will take place on February 6, 2027. Party primaries are expected to occur between April 23 and May 30, 2026, with campaign activities set to begin in August and September 2026 for the respective elections.