The All Progressives Congress has released its timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general elections, with presidential primaries scheduled for May 15 and the nomination form pegged at N100 million. According to the schedule signed by the party’s National Organising Secretary, Sulaiman Muhammad Argungu, sales of forms for all aspirants began at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja and will be rounded off on May 2, with the screening of all aspirants to hold between May 6 and May 8.
The schedule shows that the primary election for all categories of aspirants will begin with the presidential contest on Friday, May 15, followed by the House of Representatives on Monday, May 18, and the Senate on Wednesday, May 20. The primaries for state assembly will hold on Thursday, May 21, while those for governorship will hold on Saturday, May 23. The election petition process for all aspirants will commence on Monday, May 18, with the presidential contest, and will be rounded off on Monday, May 29, with the governorship.
The party also released the fee structure for aspirants at various levels. Aspirants contesting for the State House of Assembly will pay N1 million for the expression of interest and N5 million for the nomination form. Aspirants for the House of Representatives will pay N1 million for the expression of interest form and N9 million for the nomination form, while aspirants for the Senate will pay N3 million for expression of interest and N17 million for nomination. Governorship aspirants will pay N10 million for expression of interest and N40 million for nomination, while presidential aspirants will pay N30 million for expression of interest and N70 million for nomination, totalling N100 million.
From a political economy perspective, the high cost of nomination forms raises questions about access to political office and the influence of money in politics. While parties argue that fees are necessary to cover administrative costs and deter frivolous candidacies, critics contend that high fees exclude qualified candidates without access to wealthy sponsors. The APC’s schedule sets the stage for what is expected to be a competitive primary season as the ruling party seeks to retain the presidency amid growing opposition challenges.
