APC postpones presidential nomination to May 23, opts for hybrid voting system

The All Progressives Congress, APC, has rescheduled its presidential primary election to take place on Saturday, May 23, 2026, as announced by Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Durosinmi Meseko.

This decision was made following the 186th meeting of the party's National Working Committee, NWC, which was held on Thursday in Abuja, and was attended by Meseko and the party's National Leader of Persons with Disabilities, Tolu Bankole.

The new schedule overrides a previously published timetable and has been formally communicated to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in accordance with existing regulations.

According to the revised calendar, the sale of nomination forms will commence on Saturday, April 25, and will continue until Saturday, May 2, 2026, with completed forms and accompanying documents required to be submitted by Monday, May 4.

The screening of aspirants for various positions will take place between Wednesday, May 6, and Friday, May 8, for the House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, and Governorship, while Presidential aspirants will undergo screening on Saturday, May 9.

Screening results for all categories will be published on Monday, May 11, with appeals scheduled to be heard on Tuesday and Wednesday, May 12 and 13.

The primary elections will be held in a sequential manner, with the House of Representatives primary taking place on Friday, May 15, followed by the Senate primary on Monday, May 18, the State House of Assembly primary on Wednesday, May 20, the Governorship primary on Thursday, May 21, and the Presidential primary on Saturday, May 23.

Post-primary appeal committees will convene in the days immediately following each primary election to address any concerns or disputes that may arise.

The NWC has adopted a dual-mode primary system, which includes both direct and consensus methods, as stipulated in the Electoral Act, with the condition that if any single aspirant in a consensus arrangement withholds agreement, the process will automatically revert to direct primaries.

Meseko clarified that nomination forms are open to all aspiring candidates, dispelling rumors that forms would be restricted to certain individuals, and stated that "nomination forms for all aspirants seeking offices under the All Progressives Congress are open".

He further emphasized that "nomination forms are open for all members of the All Progressives Congress contesting elections", ensuring equal opportunities for all party members.

The updated list of newly registered APC members has been transmitted to INEC, bringing the party into full compliance with established rules and regulations regarding party membership.

In a separate development, the NWC approved a timetable for ward, local government area, and state congresses in Zamfara State, which will commence on Tuesday, April 28, with the screening of aspirants for ward executive positions.

Ward congresses are scheduled to take place on Thursday, April 30, with LGA and state congresses to follow, and all resulting appeals are expected to be resolved by Sunday, May 3.

According to Meseko, the APC "is now fully ready for the upcoming primary elections", indicating the party's preparedness to proceed with the electoral process.