APC shifts primaries

The All Progressives Congress has shifted its presidential primary election, earlier slated for May 15 and 16, to May 23, 2026, while the governorship primaries will now hold on May 21, 2026. The party says this is in line with a revised timetable for its 2027 general election activities. The APC Deputy National Publicity Secretary, […]

The All Progressives Congress has shifted its presidential primary election, earlier slated for May 15 and 16, to May 23, 2026, while the governorship primaries will now hold on May 21, 2026.

The party says this is in line with a revised timetable for its 2027 general election activities.

The APC Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Duro Meseko, disclosed this at the end of the 186th National Working Committee meeting in Abuja on Thursday.

He said APC will begin sales of forms for all its aspirants from Saturday, April 25 while has adopted a hybrid of direct and consensus options for its primaries.

Meseko, who was accompanied by the National Leader of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), Tolu Bankole, emphasized that this latest version supersedes any previously published schedules and has already been formally communicated to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). He said the NWC had confirmed that the sale of forms will commence this Saturday, April 25, and run until May 2, 2026.

According to him, the deadline for the submission of completed forms is set for Monday, May 4, 2026.

He said the screening will begin with Legislative and Governorship aspirants between May 6 and 8, adding that the screening of the presidential aspirants will hold on Saturday, May 9.

He said the first set of primary elections will kick off on May 15 for the House of Representatives while that of the Senate will hold on Monday, May 18 and State Assembly primaries will hold on Wednesday May 20 adding that the governorship primaries will hold on May 21 while that of the presidential will hold on May 23.

 Amidst swirling rumors regarding the restriction of nomination forms to specific individuals, Meseko issued a stern clarification, saying “Nomination forms for all aspirants seeking offices under the APC are open.

 “Forms are available for all members contesting elections. There is no limitation or restriction.”

The NWC also clarified the Mode of Primaries, adopting a hybrid of direct and consensus options.

However, the party added a significant caveat to protect internal democracy, saying, “Where there is consensus and an aspirant does not agree, it automatically reverts to direct primaries. The consensus option must be agreed to by all aspirants; if not, it defaults to the direct mode.”

The briefing also touched on internal party restructuring in Zamfara State, approving that congresses at the Ward, LGA, and State levels are to begin on Tuesday, April 28. Appeals arising from these congresses are scheduled to be concluded by May 3.

Regarding the party’s base, the Deputy Publicity Secretary confirmed that updated membership lists—including newly registered members—have been successfully transmitted to the INEC.

“The All Progressives Congress is now fully ready for the upcoming primary elections,” Meseko concluded.