By Nchetachi Chukwuajah
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has shifted the dates for its presidential convention and governorship primary.
Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Honourable Duro Meseko, disclosed this on Thursday, April 23, while addressing journalists at the party’s national secretariat at the end of its National Working Committee (NWC) meeting.
Meseko said the dates were shifted following a review of the party’s timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general elections.
He noted that the presidential convention, earlier fixed for May 15 and 16, will now be held on May 23, while the governorship primary, earlier fixed for May 23, is now scheduled for May 20, 2026.
According to him, the primaries to elect candidates for Senate and House of Representatives elections have been fixed for May 18 and May 15, 2026, respectively.
The shift in the dates comes days after the party released its timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general election, signed by the party’s National Organising Secretary, Sulaiman Muhammad Argungu.
The timetable outlines, among other activities, timelines for screening, appeals, and primary elections, as well as directives on the sale of nomination and expression of interest forms.
Meseko, who was joined by the National Leader of People With Disabilities (PWDs), Hon. Tolu Bankole, also announced the release of the schedule of activities and timetable for the 2026 ward, LGA, and state congresses in Zamfara State, scheduled to hold between Tuesday, April 28, and May 3, 2026.
He also dismissed speculations of an alleged plot to impose candidates, stressing that the party would stick to the provisions of the Electoral Act on consensus and direct primaries as a mode of selecting candidates.
“Aspirants are free to decide their preference in accordance with the Electoral Act. Where there is consensus and an aspirant does not agree, it automatically reverts to direct primaries.
“The direct option must be agreed to by all aspirants; if not, the consensus option reverts to direct primaries,” he said.
The APC Deputy National Publicity Secretary also dismissed speculation of hoarding of expression of interest and nomination forms by the party’s national secretariat for certain preferred candidates.
“There was also a rumour that forms would be restricted or limited to certain individuals. I am here to inform all party faithful and aspirants that nomination forms for all aspirants seeking offices under the All Progressives Congress are open.
“Nomination forms are open for all members of the All Progressives Congress contesting elections,” he added.
He noted that the party has transmitted the updated list of registered party members to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), adding that the APC is fully ready for the primary election.
Meseko said, “All newly registered members of the APC have had their updated list transmitted to INEC. We did an earlier submission, and an update has now been transmitted. We are now in full conformity with established rules.
“I also have to inform you that the All Progressives Congress is now fully ready for the upcoming primary elections.”
