APC Reschedules Presidential, Governorship 2026 Primaries

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has adjusted its timetable for the 2026 primary elections, moving the presidential primary to May 23, 2026, while governorship primaries will now hold on May 21, 2026.

The update was announced by the party’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Duro Meseko, after the 186th National Working Committee (NWC) meeting in Abuja on Thursday. He said the changes were necessary to align with the Constitution, the Electoral Act 2026, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) schedule for the 2027 general elections.

According to the revised timetable, sales of nomination forms will run from April 25 to May 2, 2026, while the deadline for submission of completed forms is May 4, 2026.

Screening of aspirants across all levels—State House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, governorship, and presidency—will take place from May 6 to May 9, 2026. Results will be released on May 11, with appeals scheduled for May 12 and 13.

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Primary elections will then follow in stages: House of Representatives on May 15, Senate on May 18, State Houses of Assembly on May 20, governorship on May 21, and presidential on May 23, 2026.

Meseko also noted that post-primary appeals will run from May 18 through May 25, depending on the category.

He added that the APC has adopted both direct and consensus modes of primary elections, allowing aspirants to choose their preferred method, with consensus standing where agreement is reached.

The party also dismissed claims that nomination forms were restricted, insisting they remain open to all qualified aspirants.

INEC has already fixed the 2027 general elections for January 16 (Presidential and National Assembly) and February 6 (Governorship and State Assemblies), while party primaries are expected to conclude within April 23 to May 30, 2026.