The All Progressives Congress has fixed May 16 and May 23, 2026, for the conduct of its presidential and governorship primary elections ahead of the 2027 general elections.

APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, who made this public on Monday, disclosed that in the ruling party’s timetable signed by the National Organising Secretary, Sulaiman Argungu, presidential aspirants will pay N100 million for expression of interest and nomination forms, governorship aspirants N50 million, Senate aspirants N20 million, and House of Representatives aspirants N10 million.

The Independent National Electoral Commission has fixed the Presidential and National Assembly elections for Saturday, January 16, 2027, while the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections are scheduled for Saturday, February 6, 2027.

The Commission also stated that party primaries, including the resolution of disputes arising from them, will take place between April 23, 2026 and May 30, 2026.

According to INEC, campaigns for the Presidential and National Assembly elections will begin on August 19, 2026, while campaigns for the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will commence on September 9, 2026.

As stated in the APC timetable, the sale of forms will run from April 25 to May 2 at the party’s National Headquarters in Wuse II, Abuja, while May 4 is the deadline for the submission of completed forms.

The timetable also shows that screening for presidential aspirants is scheduled for May 9, while other aspirants will be screened between May 6 and May 8, with further screening activities slated for May 12 and May 13.

Primary elections are scheduled for May 18 for the House of Representatives, May 20 for the Senate, and May 21 for State House of Assembly candidates.

It further stated that State House of Assembly aspirants will pay N6 million for both the expression of interest and nomination forms.

Female aspirants, youths, and persons with disabilities are required to pay only for the expression of interest form and 50 per cent of the nomination fees for their respective positions.

Morka assured APC members that the ruling party remains committed to conducting credible and transparent primary elections.

The statement read in part, “The APC reassures members, stakeholders, and Nigerians of its commitment to conducting a credible and transparent primary election that will further strengthen the Party’s internal democracy and consolidate its progressive ideals.”

President Bola Tinubu says he is not intimidated by the opposition, describing them as “noise-makers” who do not respect the rule of law.

He stated this during a meeting with leaders and coordinators of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors from the 36 states of the federation at the State House, Abuja, on Thursday.

The group was led by Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, who is the Director-General of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors.

“They want to scare me off? It is a lie. I have been through this path before,” the President said.

“One thing that you need from me is a promise: I won’t run away from the affairs of the nation. With you, the deal is done.”

Recalling his experience in the 2023 election, the President said the process was challenging but ultimately successful.

“During the primary that brought me here, it was tough. During the general election that brought me here, it was tough,” he said.

Tinubu told the gathering that his political journey, including the primaries and general election that brought him to office, had already prepared him for the current challenges, insisting he would not be distracted.

“I have listened to various comments. I am inspired by all of you. This is an opportunity of a lifetime to break the shackles of poverty and ignorance. To put freedom in the heart of our people, to ensure democracy survives. Not the noise-making, not the rascality of street convention.

“We cannot submit to disobedience of a lawful order of the court. We must embrace the judiciary, whether it favours us or not. We submit to this principle of democracy, separation of powers, and understanding of the dynamics of it, and the nationhood that Nigeria is.

“That we must build one country… one common vision for the progress and prosperity of our people. That’s what Renewed Hope is all about,” he said.

He urged members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to remain united, saying the party must stand against those he said do not want national transformation.

The President also criticised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, a member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), referencing his past role as Chairman of the National Council on Privatisation.

Tinubu questioned the outcomes of some privatisation exercises carried out under Atiku’s tenure.

“If you look at one of them… no one without history among this calabash. The head was the Chairman of the Privatisation Council of Nigeria at one time. He privatised the steel industry in Delta— is it working today? No.

“They privatised Ajaokuta. Is it working today? Go on the list. They privatised another man’s political party. That one said no,” he said, drawing a huge laughter from the audience.

Tinubu reaffirmed his commitment to governance and national development.

“Let’s go into the details of what we promised Nigerians, and I promise, I won’t let you down,” he said.

He also said the Renewed Hope Ambassadors had been mobilised and empowered to support the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.