- The All Progressives Congress party fixed May 16 and May 23, 2026 for presidential and governorship primaries
- Presidential aspirants will pay N100 million for nomination and expression of interest forms
- The Senate, House of Representatives and State Assembly forms were pegged at N20 million, N10 million and N6 million respectively
The All Progressives Congress has announced key dates for its primary elections ahead of the 2027 general elections, with presidential primaries scheduled for May 16 and governorship primaries set for May 23, 2026.
The party also released the cost of nomination and expression of interest forms for aspirants seeking elective offices.
According to the timetable made public on Monday, April 20, by APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka, presidential aspirants will pay N100 million for forms, while governorship hopefuls will pay N50 million.
Those contesting Senate seats will pay N20 million, House of Representatives aspirants will pay N10 million, while State House of Assembly aspirants are expected to pay N6 million.
The timetable, signed by APC National Organising Secretary Sulaiman Argungu, stated that forms would be available for purchase between April 25 and May 2 at the party’s National Headquarters in Wuse II, Abuja. Completed forms must be submitted on or before May 4.
Screening for presidential aspirants is fixed for May 9, while governorship, National Assembly and State Assembly aspirants will be screened between May 6 and May 8. Additional screening activities are expected to take place on May 12 and May 13.
The APC also scheduled its House of Representatives primaries for May 18, Senate primaries for May 20 and State House of Assembly primaries for May 21.
Female aspirants, young people and persons living with disabilities will enjoy discounted nomination fees. They are required to pay only for the expression of interest form and half of the nomination fee for the offices they seek.
Morka said the ruling party remained committed to conducting transparent and credible primaries that would strengthen internal democracy.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission has fixed January 16, 2027 for the Presidential and National Assembly elections, while governorship and State House of Assembly elections will hold on February 6, 2027.
INEC also announced that party primaries and dispute resolution processes would take place between April 23 and May 30, 2026.
Campaigns for the Presidential and National Assembly elections are expected to begin on August 19, 2026, while campaigns for governorship and State Assembly elections will commence on September 9, 2026.
PDP adopts timetable amid lingering crisis
The Peoples Democratic Party has also adopted a timetable for its 2027 election activities despite ongoing internal divisions.
At its 108th National Executive Committee meeting in Abuja, the faction backed by Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike declared that the party had moved beyond its leadership crisis.
The NEC said the PDP remained united and formidable, while also expressing confidence in the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led National Working Committee.
Party spokesman Haruna Mohammed Jungudo said full details of the timetable would be released after the party completes administrative processes.
The NEC urged members to focus on reconciliation, respect party structures and comply with INEC regulations on primaries, membership registers and dispute resolution.
The PDP also endorsed its electronic membership registration programme, describing it as a major step toward improving transparency and strengthening grassroots participation.
Wike, speaking at the meeting, reaffirmed his loyalty to the PDP and said he had no intention of leaving the party. He also called for greater openness and urged the leadership to reconcile with members who left during the crisis.
However, the rival faction loyal to Tanimu Turaki dismissed the NEC gathering, describing it as a meeting of APC loyalists operating within the PDP.
Factional spokesman Ini Ememobong insisted that the court would eventually determine the legitimacy of decisions taken by both camps.
ADC leans toward consensus candidate
The African Democratic Congress says it is considering a consensus approach in choosing its presidential candidate for the 2027 election.
Speaking during an interview on Arise TV, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said the ADC prefers consensus because it is less expensive and could help unite the party.
He explained that while the party still retains the option of direct primaries, it is no longer considering indirect primaries following changes to the Electoral Act.
Abdullahi also claimed that the APC could struggle to remain united after President Bola Tinubu leaves office.
2027 election: INEC revises election timetable, moves party register deadline to May
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had revised the timetable for the 2027 General Elections, extending the deadline for political parties to submit their official membership registers.
The INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, explained that the revision is intended to better align the election schedule with the 21-day requirement outlined in “Section 77(4) of the Electoral Act, 2026, with the actual dates fixed by political parties themselves.”
As part of the update, the deadline for submitting party registers has been moved to May 10, 2026, replacing the earlier April 21 deadline.