APC Postpones Presidential and Governorship Primaries on Scheduled Start Date; NWC Cites ‘Screening Delays’ as Party Scrambles to Meet May 30 INEC Deadline

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has issued a last-minute suspension of its primary election schedule, halting the commencement of the internal voting process originally fixed for today, Thursday, April 23, 2026. The decision, which was communicated following an emergency meeting of the National Working Committee (NWC) in Abuja, has introduced a fresh layer of uncertainty into the political landscape as the 2027 general election cycle intensifies.

In a statement released late Thursday evening, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, explained that the postponement was a “strategic adjustment” necessitated by the sheer volume of aspirants seeking the party’s ticket. He noted that the screening committees require additional time to verify credentials and clear candidates in accordance with the more stringent transparency requirements of the Electoral Act 2026. “The party is committed to a process that is above legal reproach,” Morka stated. “Pushing the dates ensures that every petition is heard and every aspirant is properly vetted before we head to the polls.”

Despite the official emphasis on logistics, political analysts suggest that the delay is primarily a move to manage internal friction. Following the APC’s National Convention in March, several factions have remained at odds over “consensus” candidates. By shifting the primary dates into mid-May, the party leadership appears to be buying time to broker peace deals in volatile states, particularly in the North-Central and South-West zones, where multiple high-profile figures are vying for governorship tickets.

The postponement has met with mixed reactions from aspirants. While some have welcomed the extra time for grassroots mobilization, others expressed concern over the “extra financial burden” of an extended campaign period. For the presidency, where President Bola Tinubu is widely expected to seek a second term, the delay is seen as a cooling-off period to solidify the support of the various power blocs within the party before a formal affirmation.

As the May 30 deadline for the submission of party registers to INEC approaches, the APC is under significant pressure to maintain its internal discipline. The Commission has already indicated that it will not grant further extensions to the primary window, meaning the ruling party must now complete its nationwide exercises within a significantly compressed timeframe. For now, the eyes of the political class remain on the NWC as the nation awaits the release of the final, “water-tight” timetable for the May exercises.