The All Progressives Congress has officially released its timetable for the 2027 general elections, announcing that its presidential primary election will hold on May 15 and 16, 2026.
The development marks a major step in the party’s preparations for the next election cycle and signals the formal commencement of internal processes that will produce candidates for the presidency, governorships, National Assembly seats, and state legislative positions.
The timetable was made public through the party’s official communication channels and contained in a statement signed by the APC National Organising Secretary, Sulaiman Argungu.
Presidential Primary Dates Confirmed
According to the schedule, the APC presidential primary will take place over two days—May 15 and May 16, 2026.
The exercise is expected to attract national attention, especially amid growing interest over whether President Bola Tinubu will formally seek a second term in office.
Although President Tinubu has not officially declared his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election, several APC leaders and party stakeholders have already publicly endorsed him for re-election.
Political observers say the primary timetable provides the clearest indication yet that the ruling party is moving early to consolidate its internal processes ahead of the polls.
Sale of Forms Begins April 25
The APC stated that the sale of Expression of Interest and Nomination forms for presidential aspirants will begin on April 25 and close on May 2, 2026.
Aspirants are expected to complete the purchase process and submit all required documentation before the official submission deadline of May 4.
This stage is considered one of the most important in the nomination process, as only those who successfully purchase and submit completed forms will proceed to screening.
Screening and Appeals Process
The party’s timetable also outlined a screening process for aspirants seeking to contest under the APC platform.
Screening is scheduled to hold from May 6 to May 8, while the results of the screening exercise will be published on May 11.
Candidates dissatisfied with the outcome of the screening process will have the opportunity to file appeals between May 12 and May 13.
Party officials say the inclusion of an appeals process is intended to ensure fairness, transparency, and due process.
₦100 Million for Presidential Forms
One of the most notable aspects of the announcement is the cost of forms for presidential aspirants.
The APC pegged the total amount at ₦100 million, broken down as follows:
- ₦30 million for the Expression of Interest form
- ₦70 million for the Nomination form
The cost places the APC presidential ticket among the most expensive in Nigerian political history and reflects the high financial threshold often associated with major party primaries.
Supporters of the pricing structure argue that it helps fund party administration and limits frivolous candidacies. Critics, however, say such fees can discourage wider participation and reduce access for competent but less wealthy aspirants.
Cost of Other Forms
The APC also announced fees for other elective offices.
Governorship aspirants are expected to pay ₦50 million, while fees for Senate, House of Representatives, and State House of Assembly aspirants vary depending on the office sought.
Though the party did not specify every category in detail within the summary statement, officials indicated that the full fee structure would be available in the official guidelines.
Discounts for Women, Youth, and Persons With Disabilities
In a move aimed at encouraging broader participation, the party announced concessions for specific categories of aspirants.
According to the statement:
- Female aspirants
- Youth aspirants
- Physically challenged aspirants
will pay only for the Expression of Interest form and receive a 50 percent discount on the Nomination fee for whichever office they seek.
The APC said the policy reflects its commitment to inclusion and youth participation in politics.
Political analysts note that while the discounts may encourage more entrants, the remaining costs may still be substantial for many potential candidates.
Other Primary Election Dates
Beyond the presidential primary, the APC also fixed dates for other internal elections.
The timetable states that primaries for legislative and executive offices will hold as follows:
- House of Representatives – May 18, 2026
- Senate – May 20, 2026
- State Houses of Assembly – May 21, 2026
- Governorship – May 23, 2026
These staggered dates are expected to help the party manage logistics and reduce conflicts during the nomination process.
Legal and Constitutional Basis
The APC stated that the timetable was issued in accordance with:
- The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
- The Electoral Act 2026
- Guidelines of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)
The party said compliance with legal provisions remains central to its internal electoral process.
Commitment to Internal Democracy
In the statement, the APC reaffirmed its commitment to conducting credible and transparent primary elections.
The party said the timetable demonstrates its resolve to strengthen internal democracy and provide equal opportunities for qualified members to contest.
Internal democracy has become a key issue in Nigerian politics, with many parties facing criticism over imposed candidates, lack of transparency, and delegate controversies during primaries.
The APC leadership appears eager to project an image of orderliness and preparedness ahead of the 2027 race.
Focus on Tinubu’s Second-Term Ambition
As of the time of the announcement, no APC member had formally declared interest in contesting the presidency.
However, political attention remains focused on President Bola Tinubu.
Several party leaders, governors, and influential blocs within the APC have publicly endorsed Tinubu for another term.
Although the President has not officially declared, he recently dismissed speculation that he was worried about opposition movements ahead of the election.
His remarks have been interpreted by many observers as a signal of confidence and possible readiness to seek re-election when the time comes.
Opposition Watching Closely
The APC timetable is likely to intensify activity across opposition parties, many of which are already discussing mergers, alliances, and coalition strategies ahead of 2027.
By moving early, the ruling party may be seeking to establish momentum, reassure supporters, and shape the national political conversation.
Analysts say early primaries can provide advantages such as:
- More time to reconcile aggrieved aspirants
- Earlier fundraising and campaign planning
- Stronger voter mobilisation
- Better coordination with candidates nationwide
Concerns Over Cost of Politics
- Despite the structured timetable, the ₦100 million presidential form fee has again
- revived concerns over the high cost of politics in Nigeria.
- Critics argue that excessive nomination fees can limit leadership opportunities to wealthy
- elites, political godfathers, or candidates backed by major financiers.
They say reducing the cost of contesting elections would improve inclusion and deepen democracy.
Supporters of the current model counter that serious national campaigns require substantial resources and organisational capacity.
What Happens Next
The next key dates to watch include:
- April 25: Sale of forms begins
- May 2: End of form sales
- May 4: Submission deadline
- May 6–8: Screening of aspirants
- May 11: Screening results
- May 12–13: Appeals
- May 15–16: Presidential primary
These milestones will determine who eventually emerges as the APC flagbearer for the 2027 presidential election.
