• The All Progressive Congress party has postponed its presidential primary election to May 23, 2026 and rescheduled the governorship primaries for May 21, 2026
• The party’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Duro Meseko, dismissed rumours of restricted nomination forms
• The party's primary elections is now scheduled to run from May 15 to May 23 across categories

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has postponed its presidential primary election to May 23, 2026, while governorship primaries will now take place on May 21, following a revised timetable for the 2027 general elections.

The party’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Duro Meseko, announced the changes after the 186th National Working Committee (NWC) meeting held in Abuja on Thursday, April 23.

According to him, the adjustment affects key pre-primary processes, including the screening of aspirants and the handling of appeals, aligning the party’s schedule with Nigeria’s electoral laws and the timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“We now have a new revised timetable in accordance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), the Electoral Act 2026, and the INEC schedule for the 2027 general elections,” Meseko said.

Under the updated timetable, the sale of nomination forms will run from April 25 to May 2, 2026, while the deadline for submission of completed forms has been fixed for May 4.

Screening of aspirants across all positions will hold between May 6 and May 9, with presidential aspirants screened on May 9.

The party also outlined the sequence of its primary elections:

• House of Representatives: May 15
• Senate: May 18
• State House of Assembly: May 20
• Governorship: May 21
• Presidential: May 23

Publication of screening results is scheduled for May 11, while appeals will be handled between May 12 and May 13.

Meseko further explained that post-primary appeal committees would convene on staggered dates between May 18 and May 25, depending on the category of election.

He also confirmed that the party had approved a separate timetable for ward, local government, and state congresses in Zamfara State, beginning April 28, 2026.

The APC reaffirmed its adoption of both direct and consensus modes of primaries, as provided under the Electoral Act.

“In this 186th meeting… we adopted the mode of primaries as provided in the Electoral Act: direct and consensus mode,” Meseko stated.

He added that aspirants retain the freedom to choose their preferred method.

“Where consensus works, it stands, and where an aspirant does not agree… it automatically reverts to direct primaries,” he explained.

Addressing speculation about restricted access, Meseko dismissed claims that nomination forms would be limited to select individuals.

“I am here to inform all party faithful… that nomination forms… are available for all, not exclusively reserved for any individual,” he said.

The Independent National Electoral Commission has scheduled the presidential and National Assembly elections for January 16, 2027, while governorship and State Assembly elections will hold on February 6, 2027.

The electoral body also fixed April 23 to May 30, 2026, as the window for political parties to conduct primaries and resolve disputes.

Campaigns for presidential and National Assembly elections will begin on August 19, 2026, while governorship campaigns are set to commence on September 9, 2026.

Oyo LG election gets new date as INEC revises 2027 electoral calendar

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC) had shifted the date for the state’s local government elections to Tuesday, December 29, 2026.

According to the statement dated March 4, 2026, the adjustment followed a recent change in the national electoral timetable by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The commission said the new date is intended to ensure efficient security deployment, improved logistics, and better voter participation.