The All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced a detailed schedule for its primary elections, fixing May 16 to May 22, 2026, for the selection of candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to the timetable released by the party, primaries for state Houses of Assembly will take place on May 16, followed by governorship primaries on May 18. The House of Representatives primaries are set for May 20, while senatorial primaries will be conducted on May 22.
The schedule, signed by the APC National Organising Secretary, Sulaiman Muhammad Argungu, was issued by the party’s national secretariat in line with guidelines from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The process will begin with the issuance of notices of election to state chapters on April 20, 2026. This will be followed by the sale of nomination forms from April 25 to May 2. Aspirants are expected to submit completed forms and supporting documents by May 4, after which screening will commence.
Screening of aspirants for state assembly seats will be conducted in respective state capitals, while governorship, National Assembly, and presidential aspirants will be screened in Abuja.
The screening exercise is scheduled to hold from May 9 to May 10, with an additional session for presidential aspirants on May 23. Results of the screening will be published on May 13 for most categories, while presidential screening results will be released on May 24.
Appeals arising from the screening process will be heard on May 14, with presidential appeals slated for May 25. Post-primary election appeals across all categories are expected to be concluded between May 24 and May 25.
The party also disclosed that its special convention for the presidential primary will take place from May 28 to May 29. The exercise will adopt a direct primary system across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
On nomination fees, the APC fixed the presidential form at ₦100 million, comprising ₦30 million for expression of interest and ₦70 million for nomination. Governorship aspirants are to pay ₦50 million, while forms for senatorial, House of Representatives, and state assembly positions are priced at ₦20 million, ₦10 million, and ₦5 million respectively.
The party added that female aspirants, youths, and persons with disabilities will receive concessions, requiring them to pay only for the expression of interest form and 50 percent of the nomination fee.
