APC Sets Two-Week Deadline for Presidential, Gov, NASS Forms

The All Progressives Congress on Monday, April 21, 2026, released its timetable for the 2027 general elections, setting deadlines for the purchase and submission of nomination forms and fixing dates for its primary elections. The party announced that its presidential primary will hold on May 16, while the governorship primary is scheduled for May 23.

According to the schedule, the sale of expression of interest and nomination forms will take place between April 25 and May 2 at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, with May 4 fixed as the deadline for submission. The party also set the cost of the presidential form at ₦100 million, while governorship aspirants are to pay ₦50 million. Senate aspirants will pay ₦20 million, House of Representatives aspirants ₦10 million, and State House of Assembly aspirants ₦6 million.

The timetable shows that screening for aspirants will take place within early May, with presidential aspirants screened on May 9 and others between May 6 and May 8, followed by additional screening processes on May 12 and May 13. Primary elections for the House of Representatives, Senate, and State House of Assembly are scheduled for May 18, May 20, and May 21 respectively.

The APC also introduced concessions for women, young aspirants, and persons living with disabilities, allowing them to pay only for the expression of interest forms and half of the nomination fees.

Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission has already fixed January 16, 2027, for the presidential and National Assembly elections, while governorship and State House of Assembly elections will take place on February 6, 2027. The commission also directed that all party primaries and dispute resolutions must be concluded between April 23 and May 30, 2026, with campaign activities set to begin in August and September 2026.

At the same time, the Peoples Democratic Party has begun its own preparations after its National Executive Committee meeting in Abuja, where it approved a timetable for its primaries, although full details are yet to be released. The party, however, continues to face internal divisions, with different factions contesting control and taking legal action to resolve leadership disputes.

One faction is linked to Tanimu Turaki and has support from Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, while another group is aligned with Abdulrahman Mohammed and backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

Despite the crisis, the party leadership at its NEC meeting maintained that it has moved past its internal issues and is now focused on preparations for the 2027 elections. Party leaders also called for reconciliation among members and urged adherence to party rules and electoral guidelines.

In a related development, the African Democratic Congress said it is considering adopting a consensus approach in choosing its presidential candidate, noting that it aims to reduce internal conflict and manage costs as it prepares for the next general elections.