The All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced the sale of nomination forms for the 2027 general elections, beginning Saturday, April 25, 2026, and running until May 2, 2026. The party's Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Durosinmi Meseko, disclosed this after the 186th meeting of the National Working Committee (NWC), stating the revised timetable had been formally submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Completed forms must be submitted by Monday, May 4, 2026. Screening for legislative and governorship aspirants is scheduled for May 6 to 8, with presidential aspirants to be screened on Saturday, May 9.
Primary elections will begin on May 15, 2026, with the House of Representatives, followed by the Senate on May 18, State Assemblies on May 20, governorship on May 21, and the presidential primary on May 23. Meseko dismissed rumors of restricted access, affirming that "Nomination forms for all aspirants seeking offices under the APC are open. Forms are available for all members contesting elections. There is no limitation or restriction." The NWC adopted a hybrid mode for primaries, combining consensus and direct elections, but clarified that if any aspirant rejects consensus, the process automatically reverts to direct primaries.
The party also approved internal congresses in Zamfara State at the Ward, LGA, and State levels, beginning Tuesday, April 28. Meseko confirmed that updated APC membership lists, including new registrations, have been sent to INEC, declaring the party "fully ready" for the upcoming primaries.
The APC claims nomination forms are open to all, yet insists on consensus—a process that historically benefits a select few, raising questions about how truly accessible the process is for rank-and-file members. If consensus requires unanimous agreement and defaults to direct primaries otherwise, the party's emphasis on consensus appears more symbolic than practical. This structure may favor established figures who can negotiate behind closed doors while leaving ordinary aspirants dependent on permission to compete. For APC members without political backing, the promise of openness may amount to little more than procedural theatre.
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