The All Progressives Congress has rescheduled its presidential primary election to May 23, 2026, moving it from the earlier dates of May 15 and 16, as part of adjustments to its timetable for the 2027 general elections.
The party also fixed its governorship primaries for May 21, 2026, alongside other changes affecting screening, appeals, and submission timelines.
The announcement was made by the APC Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Duro Meseko, after the 186th National Working Committee meeting held in Abuja on Thursday.
Meseko explained that the revised schedule aligns with Nigeria’s legal framework and the electoral body’s timetable.
“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.
“We hereby present the new revised timetable and schedule of activities for the conduct of the 2027 general elections to the press,” he said.
He disclosed that the sale of nomination forms will run from April 25 to May 2, 2026, while the deadline for submission has been fixed for May 4.
“Screening of aspirants – House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, Governorship, and Presidential—will hold as follows: Wednesday, 6th May to Friday, 8th May, 2026, for House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, and Governorship screening respectively. Saturday, 9th May, 2026, is the screening for Presidential aspirants.
“Publication of screening results for State House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, Governorship, and Presidential will hold on Monday, 11th May, 2026. Screening appeals will be handled by the appeal committees from Tuesday, 12th May to Wednesday, 13th May, 2026,” he added.
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Meseko further outlined the new primary election dates, stating:
“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.”
He also detailed the timeline for post-primary appeals, which will run between May 18 and May 25, depending on the category of election.
In addition, the APC announced a separate timetable for ward, local government, and state congresses in Zamfara State, beginning April 28, 2026.
“That is one of the resolutions today. The second is the schedule of activities and timetable for the 2026 ward, LGA, and state congresses in Zamfara State, beginning Tuesday, 28th April, 2026,” Meseko said, outlining the sequence of screenings, congresses, and appeals.
He clarified that the party would adopt both direct and consensus modes of primaries as permitted by the Electoral Act.
“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.
“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 stated.
Meseko also dismissed rumours that nomination forms would be restricted.
“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.”
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission has scheduled the presidential and National Assembly elections for January 16, 2027, while governorship and state assembly elections will hold on February 6, 2027.
INEC also stated that party primaries and dispute resolution processes will take place between April 23 and May 30, 2026, with campaigns set to begin in August and September for different categories of elections.