Date: April 24, 2026 l Reporter: Usman Adebayo
Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced a major adjustment to its timetable for the 2027 general elections, shifting its presidential primary election to May 23, 2026.
The decision was made following a meeting of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) in Abuja, where officials approved a revised schedule to align with the Electoral Act and guidelines issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Under the updated timetable, the presidential primary, which was earlier scheduled for mid-May, will now take place on May 23. The change forms part of a broader restructuring of the party’s primary election calendar for various political offices.
According to party officials, the sale of expression of interest and nomination forms will begin on April 25 and end on May 2, while the deadline for submission of completed forms has been fixed for May 4.
Screening of aspirants across all categories—from state assembly to presidential candidates—is scheduled to take place between May 6 and May 9, with the screening of presidential aspirants specifically set for May 9.
The revised timetable outlines a staggered sequence of primary elections. House of Representatives primaries will hold on May 15, followed by Senate primaries on May 18, and State House of Assembly primaries on May 20. Governorship primaries are scheduled for May 21, while the presidential primary will conclude the process on May 23.
The APC also confirmed that it will adopt both direct and consensus modes for its primaries, in line with the Electoral Act. However, party officials clarified that where consensus fails to gain unanimous agreement among aspirants, the process will automatically revert to direct primaries.
In addition, the party dismissed speculation that nomination forms would be restricted to selected individuals, emphasizing that all qualified members are free to contest for any position.
The revision comes as political parties across Nigeria prepare for the 2027 general elections. INEC has set a window between April 23 and May 30, 2026, for parties to conduct their primaries, with presidential and National Assembly elections expected to hold in January 2027, followed by governorship and state assembly elections in February 2027.
Political analysts say the adjustment reflects the APC’s effort to remain compliant with electoral regulations while positioning itself strategically ahead of the upcoming elections.
As preparations intensify, the revised timetable is expected to shape the party’s internal processes and influence the broader political landscape leading into the 2027 polls.