The All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced its timetable for primary elections ahead of the 2027 general polls, setting key dates for selecting its candidates at various levels.
According to the schedule, the party’s presidential primary will take place on May 15 and 16, while governorship primaries are slated for May 23. Primaries for State Houses of Assembly will be held on May 21, and those for the National Assembly will follow later in the month.
The timetable aligns with the window provided by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which allows political parties to conduct primaries between April 23 and May 30.
The APC fixed the cost of its presidential nomination process at ₦100 million, covering both the expression of interest and nomination forms. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is expected to seek re-election, may emerge as the sole aspirant, with his candidacy potentially ratified through a consensus or direct primary system, as permitted under the Electoral Act 2026.
For other positions, governorship aspirants will pay ₦60 million in total, senatorial hopefuls ₦20 million, House of Representatives aspirants ₦10 million, and State Assembly candidates ₦6 million.
The party leadership stated that consensus remains its preferred method for choosing candidates. However, where agreement cannot be reached, direct primaries will be conducted across wards and constituencies.
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The sale of nomination forms is scheduled for April 25 to May 2, with submission closing on May 4. Screening of aspirants will take place between May 6 and May 9, while appeals will be handled from May 12 to May 13.
APC officials say the early release of the timetable is intended to ensure a transparent and competitive process, giving aspirants enough time to prepare.
In addition, the party approved a 50 percent discount on nomination fees for women, youths, and persons living with disabilities, although they are still required to pay the full expression of interest fee.
INEC has set January 16, 2027, for the presidential election and February 6 for governorship elections. However, no governorship primaries will be conducted in seven states—Osun, Ekiti, Ondo, Bayelsa, Kogi, Anambra, and Imo—due to their off-cycle election schedules.
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