The All Progressives Congress (APC) says it will begin the sale of nomination forms for the 2027 general election on April 25.
On Monday, the ruling party released its timetable and schedule of activities for the next year’s elections, pegging the cost of nomination and expression of interest forms for presidential aspirants at N70 million and N30 million, respectively.
Durosinmi Meseko, deputy national publicity secretary of the party, spoke on Thursday after the 186th meeting of the national working committee (NWC) of the APC.
Meseko said the development is contained in the party’s revised timetable and schedule of activities, which has been communicated to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
He said the sale of forms will run from April 25 to May 2, adding that the deadline for submission is May 4.
According to him, screening for legislative and governorship aspirants will take place between May 6 and 8, while presidential aspirants will be screened on May 9.
Meseko said the primaries for the house of representatives will be held on May 15, followed by the senate primaries on May 18 and state assembly on May 20.
He added that governorship primaries are scheduled for May 21, while the presidential primaries will be held on May 23.
The APC spokesperson dismissed speculations that nomination forms would be restricted to certain individuals.
“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,” he said.
He also said the party has adopted a hybrid model of direct and consensus primaries, noting that the consensus option must be agreed to by all aspirants.
Where there is consensus and an aspirant does not agree, it automatically reverts to direct primaries,” Meseko said.
On internal party matters, he said the NWC approved the conduct of congresses in Zamfara state, with ward, LGA and state congresses scheduled to begin on April 28.
Meseko added that updated membership registers, including newly registered members, have been transmitted to INEC.
“The APC is now fully ready for the upcoming primary elections,” he said.
Meanwhile, speaking after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu on Thursday, Umar Bago, governor of Niger state, said the president has given governors the go-ahead to conduct primaries in line with the Electoral Act, either through direct or consensus options.
“We came to thank the president for his magnanimity and support for the governors and for our party. He gave us marching orders on what to do,” Bago said.
Also speaking, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, governor of Kwara, said the party is committed to a transparent process.
“The timetable for the election has been released, and we discussed the process moving forward – that there will be free and fair elections, no rancour, and at the end of the day, the party should be one and stronger heading towards the election,” he said.
