2027: APC Shakes Up Election Timetable; Shifts Presidential Primary To May 23

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced a significant overhaul of its schedule for the 2027 general elections, moving the highly anticipated presidential primary from May 15 to Saturday, May 23. The decision, reached during the party’s 186th NWC meeting on Thursday, is aimed at ensuring strict compliance with the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act 2026, and updated regulatory guidelines from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Speaking at the party’s national secretariat, the APC Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Duro Meseko, confirmed that the revised timetable covers all elective positions, with the sale of nomination forms now set to run from April 25 to May 2, 2026. Under the new arrangement, the screening of all aspirants will take place between May 6 and May 9, concluding with the vetting of presidential hopefuls. The party also fixed May 15 for the House of Representatives primaries, followed by the Senate on May 18, State Houses of Assembly on May 20, and the Governorship primaries on May 21.

Addressing concerns over internal democracy, the NWC dismissed rumors of restricted access to nomination forms, insisting that the process remains open to all eligible members. The party further approved a hybrid approach for its primaries, authorizing both direct and consensus options, provided that any consensus candidate receives the unanimous endorsement of all aspirants. Additionally, the party moved to stabilize its leadership in Zamfara State, scheduling a series of congresses beginning April 28 to resolve lingering internal matters ahead of the national contest.