2027 Election: APC’s ₦100 Million Nomination Fee and the State of Political Parties

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) told all political parties to finish their primary elections between April 23 and May 30, 2026. Because of this, parties are now releasing their schedules and the prices for people who want to run for office.

APC Primary Dates and Costs

The ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), has shared its plan. If you want to run for President under the APC, you must pay ₦100 million in total. This includes ₦30 million for the “expression of interest” form and ₦70 million for the “nomination” form.

Right now, it looks like President Bola Tinubu will be the only person running for the APC ticket. The party says they will sell forms from April 25 to May 2, 2026. The deadline to return the forms is May 4, 2026.

The party also set prices for other positions. Governorship forms cost ₦50 million, Senate forms cost ₦20 million, House of Representatives forms cost ₦10 million, and State House of Assembly forms cost ₦6 million. 

To help women and younger people, the party is giving them a 50 percent discount on the nomination fee, but they still have to pay the full price for the expression of interest form.

The APC plans to hold its primary elections on these dates:

• House of Representatives: May 18, 2026
• Senate: May 20, 2026
• State House of Assembly: May 21, 2026
• Governorship: May 23, 2026
• Presidency: May 15, 2026

APGA Nomination Fees

The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has also shared its costs. Their presidential form costs ₦75 million total. This includes ₦25 million for the expression of interest and ₦50 million for the nomination form. 

Other fees include ₦35 million for the Governor, ₦21 million for the Senate, ₦16 million for House of Representatives, and ₦8 million for State House of Assembly.

Even though they have a price, APGA has already said they might support President Tinubu for the 2027 election. This makes it unclear if anyone else will try to buy the presidential form. APGA plans to hold all its primaries on May 23, 2026.

News on Other Political Parties

Other parties are having a harder time getting ready for the 2026 primaries.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has not set a date for its primaries yet. The party is dealing with court cases about who its real leaders are. INEC says it will not pick a side until the courts make a final decision.

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is also struggling. They have not announced a primary date because they have internal fights and legal problems. One group in the party, supported by Nyesom Wike, has held its own meeting to pick new leaders.

The Labour Party is trying to get back on its feet after a long period of fighting. In January 2026, a court said that Nenadi Usman is the real leader of the party. The party is now trying to rebuild after many members, including Peter Obi, left during the crisis.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When are the 2027 general election primaries scheduled?

INEC has mandated that all political parties must conduct their primary elections between April 23 and May 30, 2026.

What is the cost of the APC presidential nomination form?

The APC presidential nomination form costs ₦70 million, with an additional ₦30 million for the expression of interest form, totalling ₦100 million.

Do women and young aspirants get a discount on APC forms?

Yes, the APC offers a 50 percent discount on the nomination form portion for women and young aspirants, though they are still required to pay the full price for the expression of interest form.

When will the 2027 general elections be held?

According to the revised INEC timetable, the Presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for January 16, 2027, followed by the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections on February 6, 2027.

Why are some opposition parties yet to release their primary schedules?

Parties such as the PDP, Labour Party, and ADC have delayed their primary schedules due to ongoing internal leadership disputes, legal challenges, and the need to stabilise their party structures ahead of the primary window.