LAGOS — The All Progressives Congress (APC) has officially signaled the commencement of the 2027 election cycle, releasing a high-stakes timetable that pegs the expression of interest and nomination forms for presidential hopefuls at a staggering ₦100 million.
The schedule, released via the party’s official X handle and ratified by the National Organising Secretary, Sulaiman Argungu, outlines a whirlwind month of political maneuvering beginning in late April.
The Road to the Primaries
The party has established a tight window for aspirants to declare their intentions and submit documentation. Key dates include:
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April 25 – May 2: Sale of Expression of Interest and Nomination forms.
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May 4: Final deadline for the submission of completed forms.
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May 6 – May 8: Screening of aspirants.
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May 11: Publication of screening results.
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May 12 – May 13: Appeals process for disqualified candidates.
The primary elections will follow a staggered format, culminating in the selection of the flagbearer:
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House of Representatives: May 18
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Senate: May 20
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State Houses of Assembly: May 21
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Governorship: May 23
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Presidential: May 15
The Price of Ambition
The APC has maintained a high financial bar for entry. Presidential aspirants must cough up ₦30 million for the expression of interest form and ₦70 million for the nomination form, totaling ₦100 million.
For those eyeing State House, the governorship forms are priced at ₦50 million, with varying fees applied to legislative seats. However, the party has offered a window for inclusivity:
“Female aspirants, youth, and physically challenged aspirants are to pay for the expression of interest and 50 per cent of the prescribed nomination fees for each position.”
Legal Framework and Internal Democracy
The party emphasized that the schedule is strictly compliant with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Electoral Act 2026, and recent INEC guidelines. The APC leadership reaffirmed its commitment to “credible and transparent primary elections” aimed at bolstering internal party democracy.
The Tinubu Factor
Despite the release of the timetable, the presidential field remains officially quiet. As of press time, no APC member has formally declared a bid for the presidency.
While President Bola Tinubu has yet to officially announce a re-election campaign, he remains the focal point of the party’s internal politics. Last week, the President dismissed rumors that he was wary of a consolidating opposition, even as several party organs and affiliated groups have already begun chanting “four plus four” in a clear endorsement of a second term.
