THE All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced that the sale of nomination forms for aspirants seeking to contest elective positions in the 2027 general elections will commence on Saturday, April 25, 2026, as part of its revised timetable and schedule of activities.
News Point Nigeria reports that the party’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Durosinmi Meseko, disclosed this while addressing journalists after the 186th meeting of the National Working Committee (NWC), noting that the updated timetable supersedes all previously released schedules and has already been communicated to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Meseko, who addressed the press alongside the National Leader of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), Tolu Bankole, confirmed that the sale of forms would run from April 25 to May 2, 2026, while the deadline for submission of completed forms and accompanying documents is Monday, May 4, 2026.
He explained that screening of aspirants would begin with those vying for legislative and governorship positions between May 6 and May 8, while the screening of presidential aspirants is scheduled for May 9.
According to him, the publication of screening results for all categories—State House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, governorship, and presidential—will take place on Monday, May 11, 2026.
Meseko added that appeals arising from the screening process would be handled by designated committees from May 12 to May 13, 2026.
He further outlined the timetable for primary elections, stating that the exercise would commence with the House of Representatives primaries on May 15, followed by Senate primaries on May 18, State House of Assembly primaries on May 20, and governorship primaries on May 21.
He confirmed that the presidential primary election, initially slated for May 15 and 16, has been shifted to Saturday, May 23, 2026.
Meseko also disclosed that post-primary appeal committees would sit on May 18 for the House of Representatives, May 20 for the Senate, May 21 for State House of Assembly, May 23 for governorship, and May 25 for the presidential category.
Amid reports suggesting that nomination forms might be restricted to certain individuals, Meseko dismissed the claims, insisting that forms are open to all aspirants.
“Nomination forms for all aspirants seeking offices under the APC are open. Forms are available for all members contesting elections. There is no limitation or restriction,” he said.
The party also clarified that it would adopt a hybrid model of direct and consensus primaries, in line with provisions of the Electoral Act 2026.
However, it emphasised that consensus would only apply where all aspirants agree, warning that any disagreement would automatically revert the process to direct primaries.
“Where there is consensus and an aspirant does not agree, it automatically reverts to direct primaries. The consensus option must be agreed to by all aspirants; if not, it defaults to the direct mode,” Meseko explained.
He added that aspirants are free to choose their preferred mode in accordance with the law, noting that both options remain valid under the Electoral Act.
The NWC meeting also approved a timetable for ward, local government area, and state congresses in Zamfara State, scheduled to commence on Tuesday, April 28, 2026.
According to the party, screening of aspirants for ward executive positions will hold on April 29, followed by ward congresses on April 30.
Appeals arising from ward screening and congresses, as well as those from LGA congresses and screening of state executive members, will be heard on May 1, while appeals from state congresses will be handled on May 3, 2026.
Meseko further revealed that updated membership lists, including newly registered members, have been successfully transmitted to INEC, signalling the party’s preparedness for the primaries.
“The All Progressives Congress is now fully ready for the upcoming primary elections,” he stated.
Providing further context, Meseko noted that the revised timetable aligns with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), the Electoral Act 2026, and INEC’s official schedule for the 2027 general elections.
The Independent National Electoral Commission has fixed the Presidential and National Assembly elections for Saturday, January 16, 2027, while governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will be held on February 6, 2027.
INEC also stipulated that party primaries and the resolution of disputes arising from them must be conducted between April 23 and May 30, 2026.
According to the commission, campaigns for the Presidential and National Assembly elections will commence on August 19, 2026, while campaigns for governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will begin on September 9, 2026.