The All Progressives Congress (APC) has unveiled its schedule for the 2026 presidential primary, fixing the exercise for May 15 and 16 as part of early groundwork for the 2027 general elections.
Details of the timetable were shared through the party’s official handle on X and contained in a formal statement issued by the National Organising Secretary, Sulaiman Argungu. The document outlines a sequence of activities leading up to the primaries, including the sale of nomination forms, screening of aspirants, resolution of disputes, and elections for various offices.
As indicated in the schedule, the distribution of expression of interest and nomination forms will begin on April 25 and end on May 2. Aspirants are expected to submit completed forms no later than May 4. The screening process is set to take place between May 6 and May 8, while the results of the exercise will be made public on May 11. Any appeals arising from the screening will be handled between May 12 and May 13.
Beyond the presidential race, the party also mapped out dates for other primary elections. Contests for seats in the House of Representatives are planned for May 18, followed by the Senate on May 20. Primaries for State Houses of Assembly will occur on May 21, while governorship candidates are to be selected on May 23.
The APC has set the total cost of forms for those seeking the presidency at ₦100 million. This amount consists of ₦30 million for the expression of interest and ₦70 million for the nomination form. Governorship hopefuls are required to pay ₦50 million, while fees for other positions, including the Senate, House of Representatives, and state assemblies, differ based on the office.
The party also introduced concessions for certain categories of aspirants. Women, young people, and individuals with disabilities are required to pay only the expression of interest fee and half of the nomination fee applicable to their chosen positions.
According to the statement, the timetable was prepared in accordance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026, and the regulations set by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The party emphasized that the outlined process reflects its commitment to organizing primaries that are transparent, credible, and consistent with democratic standards.
At the time of the announcement, no aspirant within the APC had formally declared an intention to run for the presidency. Nonetheless, several influential figures and groups within the party have publicly expressed support for the re-election of Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Although the president has yet to officially confirm whether he will seek another term, he recently downplayed claims suggesting he is apprehensive about opposition parties ahead of the upcoming elections, signaling confidence within the ruling party as preparations continue.
