APC postpones 2027 presidential, governorship primaries, give new date

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has revised its timetable for the 2027 general elections, moving its presidential primary from May 15–16 to May 23, 2026. The governorship primaries are now scheduled for May 21, 2026.

The party announced the adjustments following its 186th National Working Committee (NWC) meeting in Abuja on Thursday.

APC Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Duro Meseko, who briefed journalists after the meeting, said the changes affected several key activities, including the screening of aspirants and the handling of appeals arising from the primaries.

According to him, the screening exercise for aspirants across all elective positions initially fixed for May 6 to May 8 has been rescheduled, with presidential screening now set for May 9, 2026.

He explained that the revised timetable aligns with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Electoral Act 2026, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) schedule for the 2027 general elections.

“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 INEC revised timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general elections,” Meseko said.

He added that the sale of nomination forms will begin on April 25 and end on May 2, 2026, while submission of completed forms closes on May 4, 2026.

Screening of aspirants for House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, governorship, and presidential positions will run from May 6 to May 8, with presidential screening fixed for May 9.

Publication of screening results will take place on May 11, while appeals will be heard between May 12 and May 13.

Under the new arrangement, primary elections will hold as follows: House of Representatives on May 15, Senate on May 18, State Houses of Assembly on May 20, governorship on May 21, and presidential primary on May 23, 2026.

Meseko also confirmed that post-primary appeal committees will sit between May 18 and May 25, covering all categories of elections.

He further disclosed that the party had approved both direct and consensus modes of primary elections, in line with the Electoral Act.

“Aspirants are free to decide their preference. Where consensus works, it stands; where it fails, it automatically reverts to direct primaries,” he said.

He dismissed speculation that nomination forms would be restricted, insisting they remain open to all qualified aspirants.

Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed the 2027 general elections for January 16 (presidential and National Assembly) and February 6, 2027 (governorship and state assemblies).

INEC also stated that party primaries will run between April 23 and May 30, 2026, while campaigns for presidential and National Assembly elections will begin on August 19, 2026, followed by governorship campaigns on September 9, 2026.