…..Presidential primary to hold May 23
All Progressives Congress has postponed its presidential and governorship primaries, announcing a revised timetable, with the presidential primaries to hold May 23.
The party’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Duro Meseko, disclosed the changes after the 186th National Working Committee meeting held in Abuja on Thursday.
According to the new schedule, the presidential primary, earlier fixed for May 15 and 16, will now take place on May 23, 2026, while the governorship primaries have been shifted to May 21, 2026.
Meseko explained that the adjustments align with provisions of the Electoral Act 2026, the 1999 Constitution (as amended), and the timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
The revised schedule:
Sale of forms: April 25 – May 2, 2026
Submission of forms: May 4, 2026
Screening of aspirants: May 6 – 9, 2026
Publication of screening results: May 11, 2026
Appeals: May 12 – 13, 2026
Primary Election Schedule
House of Representatives: May 15, 2026
Senate: May 18, 2026
State House of Assembly: May 20, 2026
Governorship: May 21, 2026
Presidential: May 23, 2026
Post-primary appeals will run between May 18 and May 25, depending on the category.
Meseko also reaffirmed that the party will adopt direct and consensus modes of primaries, noting that aspirants are free to choose their preferred method. Where consensus fails, the process will automatically revert to direct primaries.
He dismissed claims that nomination forms would be restricted, stressing that they are open to all interested aspirants.
Meanwhile, INEC has fixed the Presidential and National Assembly elections for January 16, 2027, while Governorship and State Assembly elections will hold on February 6, 2027. Campaigns are expected to begin in August and September 2026, respectively.
