Dare Babalola
The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday unveiled its official timetable and schedule of activities ahead of the 2027 general elections, setting out a detailed roadmap for primaries across all elective positions, alongside new nomination fees that place presidential aspirants at N100 million and governorship hopefuls at N50 million.
According to the schedule signed by the party’s National Organising Secretary, Sulaiman Argungu, the internal electoral process will run through April and May 2026, culminating in primaries for presidential, national assembly, and state offices.
The party said the exercise is guided by the Nigerian Constitution (as amended), the Electoral Act 2026, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) timetable for the 2027 polls.
In its official statement, the APC said, “In accordance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), the Electoral Act 2026, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2027 General Elections, the All Progressives Congress (APC) hereby releases its Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the Elections.”
The party disclosed that the sale of nomination and expression of interest forms will begin on April 25 and end on May 2, following an initial notification to its state chapters on April 20. Aspirants are expected to submit completed forms and supporting documents by May 4.
Screening of candidates will hold in phases.
Those vying for state assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, and governorship tickets will be screened between May 6 and May 8, while presidential aspirants will face the screening panel on May 9.
Results from the exercise are expected to be released on May 11, after which unsuccessful aspirants may submit appeals between May 12 and May 13.
Primary elections will follow shortly after the appeals window closes. The presidential primary has been fixed for May 15 and 16.
This will be followed by House of Representatives primaries on May 18, Senate primaries on May 20, state assembly primaries on May 21 and 22, and governorship primaries on May 23.
Appeals arising from the primaries will also be addressed on staggered dates, beginning with presidential complaints on May 18 and ending with governorship appeals on May 25.
The party also released its nomination fee structure, setting some of the highest figures yet for internal contests.
Presidential aspirants will pay N30 million for expression of interest and N70 million for nomination forms, bringing the total to N100 million. Governorship candidates will pay N10 million for expression of interest and N40 million for nomination forms, totaling N50 million.
For the National Assembly, senatorial aspirants are required to pay N3 million for expression of interest and N17 million for nomination forms, while House of Representatives aspirants will pay N1 million and N9 million respectively.
State House of Assembly hopefuls will part with N1 million for expression of interest and N5 million for nomination forms.
However, the APC introduced concessions for certain categories of aspirants. Women, youths, and persons living with disabilities will only pay for expression of interest forms and will receive a 50 per cent discount on nomination fees.
Party officials say the structured timetable is aimed at ensuring “credible and transparent primaries” while strengthening internal democracy ahead of what is expected to be a highly competitive 2027 general election season.
