By Jude Opara
The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Thursday tinkered with its programmes and timetable for the conduct of primary elections for the 2027 general elections.
Under the new dispensation, the presidential primary election will now hold on Saturday, 23rd May, 2026, while the screening for presidential aspirants will hold earlier on May 9.
Addressing newsmen after the 186th edition of the National Working Committee (NWC) meeting, the Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Duro Meseko who was accompanied by y the National Leader of the People with Disabilities, Hon. Tolu Bankole said the revised timetable is in accordance with the Nigerian Constitution, the Electoral Act 2026 and the revised timetable of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the conduct of the 2027 general elections.
Meseko said the party has already been communicated to INEC adding that the party has approved the direct and consensus mode primaries, but with the proviso that states are free to adopt any one of their choice.
“You will recall we published a timetable some few days back, but this is the newest timetable, and it will be published today. From today, you will see this in the news, and it has been properly communicated to INEC in line with the existing rules of the game.
“Notice had already been given to state chapters on Monday, 20th April. Sales of forms will commence this Saturday, 25th April to Saturday, 2nd May, 2026. The last day for submission of completed forms and accompanying documents is now Monday, 4th May, 2026.
“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.
“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, for State House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, Governorship, and Presidential”.
According to the revised timetable, other primary elections have been scheduled thus: 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.
Similarly, post-primary appeal committees will sit as follows: Monday, 18th May, 2026 for House of Representatives;
Wednesday, 20th May, 2026 for Senate;
Thursday, 21st May, 2026 for State House of Assembly;
Saturday, 23rd May, 2026 for Governorship; Monday, 25th May, 2026 for Presidential.
He also released the schedule of activities and timetable for the 2026 ward, LGA, and state congresses in Zamfara State, beginning Tuesday, 28th April, 2026. The ward congresses, LGA congresses, and state congresses will commence on that date.
Screening of aspirants for ward executive positions will follow on Wednesday, 29th April, 2026. Ward congresses hold on Thursday, 30th April, 2026.
“Appeals from ward screening and ward congresses will hold on Friday, 1st May, 2026. Appeals arising from LGA congresses and screening of state executive members will also hold the same day. Appeals arising from state congresses will hold on Sunday, 3rd May, 2026”.
The party equally released the timetable for the congresses in Zamfara State.
“The National Working Committee (NWC) 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.
“That is, aspirants are free to decide their preference in accordance with the Electoral Act. Where there is consensus and an aspirant does not agree, it automatically reverts to direct primaries. The direct option must be agreed to by all aspirants; if not, the consensus option reverts to direct primaries”.
Meseko also debunked the 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 open. Nomination forms are open for all members of the All Progressives Congress contesting elections”.
On membership registration, the party assured all newly registered members that their names have been updated and transmitted to INEC.
