*Opts for national convention to pick presidential candidate
WorldStage– Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has released its timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general election primaries.
Signed by the National Organising Secretary, Sulaiman Muhammad Argungu, the schedule initiates the party’s internal processes, with primary elections for all levels set to take place in May 2026.
The development comes in alignment with the framework set by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which fixed the window for all party primaries between April 23 and May 30, 2026.
According to details consistent across multiple reports, the APC has opted for a direct primary system across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, a move likely to test the party’s internal cohesion while expanding participation among registered members.
The presidential candidate, however, will emerge through a special national convention.
According to the schedule, dates for primaries are as follows:
Sale of forms (April 25 – May 2, 2026); form submission deadline (May 4, 2026); screening of aspirants (May 9 – May 10, 2026); Presidential primaries (May 15 – 16, 2026); House of Representatives (May 18, 2026); Senate (May 20, 2026); state House of Assembly (May 21, 2026); Governorship primaries (May 23, 2026).
The party established the following total fees for aspirants – Presidential (₦100,000,000); Governorship (₦50,000,000); Senate (₦20,000,000); House of Representatives (₦10,000,000); State House of Assembly (₦5,000,000 – ₦6,000,000).
Female aspirants, youth (aged 40 and below), and persons with disabilities are entitled to a 50% discount on nomination fees, though they must pay the full expression of interest fee.
However, the party leadership, led by National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda, has rejected requests for automatic return tickets for incumbent lawmakers, mandating competitive primaries or consensus arrangements to ensure internal democracy.
According to him, consensus will only be adopted where all aspirants voluntarily agree to the arrangement in writing.
The party warned stakeholders to disregard any unofficial documents and rely solely on the National Secretariat for valid forms and information.
