APC, Wike’s PDP, YPP Gear Up For Primaries, ADC Fate Hangs In S’Court

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has released its timetable and schedule of Activities for the 2027 general elections.

According to the timetable and schedule, which was later reviewed, sales of forms began on Saturday, 25 April and will end on 2 May, while the last day for the submission of completed forms and accompanying documents will be on 4 May 2026.

The timetable and schedule showed that the presidential primary election will be held on 23 May; the governorship and State House of Assembly – on 20 May; the Senate -on May 18, while the House of Representatives primary election will take place on 15 May 2026. Appeals arising from the exercises are expected to be concluded by 25 May 2026.

APC pegged the cost of the expression of interest form for presidential aspirants at N30 million and the nomination form at N70 million, while the expression of interest form for governorship contenders is N10 million and the nomination form is N40 million.

The party also put the expression of interest form for Senate at N3 million and the nomination form at N17 million; the House of Representatives’ expression of interest form at N1 million and the nomination form at N9 million; and the State House of Assembly expression of interest form at N1 million and the nomination form at N5 million.

It stated that female aspirants, youths and physically challenged contenders are to pay for the expression of interest form and 50% of the prescribed nomination fees each.

Similarly, a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, released its timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 polls.

The timetable and schedule indicated that sales of forms will commence on Monday, April 27, and close on May 4, with the deadline for submission of completed forms set for 9 May 2026.

The presidential primary is slated for 18 May, while the governorship primaries will take place on 27 May 2026. House of Representatives primaries are scheduled for 21 May, Senate primaries for 23 May, and State Houses of Assembly primaries will be held between 21 May and 24 May. Appeals arising from the exercises are expected to be concluded by 30 May 2026.

The PDP faction pegged its presidential nomination and expression of interest forms at N51 million, governorship – N21 million, Senate – N6 million, House of Representatives – N4 million, and State Houses of Assembly – N3 million.

Also, the Young Progressives Party (YPP) approved a timetable for its primaries, fixing May 30 for its National Convention and presidential primary.

The party also fixed 24 May for House of Assembly primaries, 25 May for House of Representatives and Senate primaries, May 26 for governorship primaries.

It set the House of Assembly form at N1.5 million, the House of Representatives at N3 million, the Senate at N8 million, the governorship at N20 million, and the presidential form at N50 million. It, however, retained free expression of interest forms for all aspirants.

The party granted a 50% concession on nomination fees to aspirants below 40 years, women, and persons with disabilities. The sales of nomination forms take effect immediately.

Meanwhile, the fate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) appears to be still hanging as the Supreme Court reserved judgment in the appeal filed by the David Mark-led faction of the party, challenging the court’s jurisdiction to intervene in the party’s internal affairs.

A five-member panel of the apex court, led by Justice Garba Mohammed, reserved judgment in the matter after Counsel to the parties in the appeal adopted their briefs of

argument.

Jibrin urged Okutepa, SAN, who. represented David Mark, in urging the court to allow the appeal, submitted that the apex court had, on 21 March 2025, judgment put an end to the issue before the court,

when it held that “no court has jurisdiction to entertain cases bordering on internal affairs of political parties”.

Okutepa therefore urged the apex court to allow the appeal and hold that the trial court lacked jurisdiction to entertain a suit concerning the ADC’s internal matters.

Robert Emukpero, SAN, who represented the 1st respondent, Hon Nafiu Gombe, however, urged the apex court to reject the appeal and affirm the lower court’s judgment, which held that the appellant’s case was premature and dismissed it.

The apex court also reserved its judgment in the appeal filed by the Saminu Turaki faction of the PDP, over the legality of their Ibadan Convention held in November, 2025.

In the appeal, the Turaki-led executive is challenging the verdicts of two high courts and the Court of Appeal in Abuja, nullifying its national convention in Ibadan on November 15 and 16, 2025, in favour of the faction loyal to Wike.

On the other hand, Labour Party(LP), held its nationwide ward congresses in the week under review. The Interim National Chairman of LP, Nenadi Usman, commended the Independent National Electoral Commission for its professionalism in monitoring the party’s ward congresses.

At her Jere South Ward in Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State, where she participated in the congress held jointly with Jere North Ward, Usman observed the process and expressed satisfaction with the orderly conduct of the exercise.

Meanwhile, 14 members of the House of Representatives announced their defection to various political parties. Of the defectors, three joined ADC, two defected to APC, two switched camp to Accord Party, while one lawmaker moved to PDP.

They include Abubakar Abdul Buba (Niger), who dumped PDP for the APC; Sani Yakubu Noma (Kebbi) moved from PDP to ADC; Ibrahim Mohammed Bunza (Kebbi) defected from PDP to APC; Mudashiru Alani (Osun) switched alliance with PDP to Accord, and Olusoji Adetunji (Osun) decamped from PDP to Accord.

Others are Thaddeus Attah (Lagos), who defected from the Labour Party (LP) to ADC; Bashir Usman Zubairu (Kaduna) dumped APC for ADC, David Abel Fouh (Taraba) jettisoned APC for PDP, Sani Adamu Wakil (Minjibir/Ungogo-Kano), Umar Mukthar Zakari (Tarauni-Kano), Yusuf Umar Datti (Kura/Madobi/Garun Mallam-Kano), and Abdulhakeem Kamilo Ado (Wudil/Garko-Kano), all defecting from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The defectors also include Emeka Chinedu Martin (Ahiazu/Ezinihitte/Mbaise) and Kabiru Ahmadu Maipalace (Gusau/Tsafe-Zamfara), who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).