APC Reschedules Presidential, Governorship Primaries

ABUJA, NIGERIA — The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced a significant shift in its internal electoral calendar, rescheduling its presidential primary election for May 23, 2026.

The decision emerged following the party’s 186th National Working Committee (NWC) meeting held in the Federal Capital Territory. Addressing the press after the session, the APC Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Duro Meseko, confirmed that the previous dates of May 15 and 16 have been vacated to accommodate a broader adjustment of the 2027 general election timetable.

Under the new schedule, the race for the party’s governorship tickets across the federation will now take place on May 21, 2026. Other key legislative primaries have also been fixed, with the House of Representatives, Senate, and State House of Assembly contests slated for May 15, 18, and 20, respectively.

Aspiring candidates are expected to begin the purchase of nomination forms from April 25 through May 2, 2026. According to the revised guidelines, all completed forms must be returned by May 4, followed by a rigorous screening exercise between May 6 and May 8.

NaijaChoice News gathered that presidential hopefuls will face a dedicated screening panel on May 9. Results from these screenings are expected to be public by May 11, with a two-day window provided for appeals arising from the vetting process.

Addressing concerns regarding internal democracy, Meseko clarified that the APC will utilize both direct and consensus modes of primaries as permitted by the Electoral Act 2026. He emphasized that while the party remains open to consensus, any lack of unanimity among aspirants will result in a direct primary election.

The party also moved to dispel rumors of “anointed candidates” or the hoarding of forms. Meseko assured stakeholders that nomination documents are accessible to all interested members, stating that no form has been reserved for any specific individual.

This internal reshuffle aligns with the broader statutory window set by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which requires all political parties to conclude their primaries between April 23 and May 30, 2026.

The political atmosphere in Nigeria is expected to intensify following these primaries, as INEC has already fixed the Presidential and National Assembly elections for January 16, 2027. Official campaigns for the top office are scheduled to kick off on August 19, 2026.

These adjustments signal the APC’s move to solidify its internal structures and resolve potential friction well ahead of the official 2027 campaign season.