APC Shifts Presidential Primary to May 23, 2026 Ahead of 2027 Elections

The All Progressives Congress has shifted its presidential primary election to May 23, 2026, marking a key adjustment in its timetable for the 2027 general elections. 

The development was announced by the party’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Duro Meseko, following the 186th National Working Committee meeting held in Abuja. 

The revised schedule aligns with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 and the timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission. 

According to the updated plan, the APC presidential primary, initially scheduled for May 15 and 16, will now take place on May 23, 2026. The governorship primaries have also been moved to May 21, 2026, while other primary elections for legislative positions will be conducted earlier within the same month. 

The party explained that the adjustment affects several pre-primary activities, including the screening of aspirants and the handling of appeals. Screening exercises, which were earlier planned for early May, will still hold within the revised window, culminating in the publication of results and the resolution of appeals shortly after. 

Meseko noted that the sale of nomination forms is set to begin on April 25 and will run until May 2, 2026, while the submission deadline for completed forms is fixed for May 4. He emphasized that all aspirants are eligible to purchase forms, dismissing speculation that the process would be restricted to select individuals. 

The APC also reaffirmed its adoption of both direct and consensus modes of primary elections, in line with the Electoral Act. Aspirants are permitted to choose their preferred method, with consensus arrangements subject to agreement by all parties involved. 

Where consensus fails, the process will automatically revert to direct primaries. The revised timetable comes as political parties across Nigeria begin aligning their internal processes with the electoral roadmap set by INEC. 

The commission has scheduled presidential and National Assembly elections for January 16, 2027, while governorship and state assembly elections will follow on February 6, 2027. 

INEC has also fixed the window for party primaries and dispute resolution between April 23 and May 30, 2026, with campaign activities expected to commence in August and September later that year. 

The APC’s latest adjustment reflects ongoing efforts by political parties to comply with regulatory timelines while managing internal logistics ahead of what is expected to be a highly competitive 2027 election cycle.