The All Progressives Congress (APC) is set to begin a sweeping round of internal elections next week as it intensifies early preparations for the 2027 general elections. The process will see party officials elected from the ward level up to the national leadership, ending with a national convention slated for late March.

This move comes on the heels of the party’s nationwide digital membership e-registration exercise, which concludes on Thursday, January 30, 2026. The registration drive, launched in December 2025 and overseen by the APC National Working Committee, introduced National Identity Number (NIN) verification and digital data capture to strengthen the party’s membership database, enhance demographic analysis, and boost grassroots mobilisation.

The timeline for the congresses was reaffirmed on Wednesday night in Abuja during a meeting of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF). APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, alongside other members of the National Working Committee, briefed the governors on the progress of the registration exercise and the roadmap for the congresses.

Both the governors and the party leadership agreed to strictly adhere to the timetable earlier approved by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) in December. They stressed that the process must be transparent, inclusive, and rooted in internal democracy to safeguard party unity.

Governors Endorse Process

Governors present at the meeting included Hope Uzodimma (Imo), Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), Uba Sani (Kaduna), Mohammed Idris (Kebbi), Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi), Ahmad Aliyu (Sokoto), Usman Ododo (Kogi), Hyacinth Alia (Benue), Agbu Kefas (Taraba), Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom), Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), and Umar Bago (Niger), among others.

In a communiqué released after the meeting, the PGF reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening democratic norms within the APC. The governors pledged to deepen internal democracy, reinforce party structures, and pursue reforms that promote transparency, accountability, and inclusiveness across the federation.

They also welcomed the briefing on the digital membership update, noting significant growth recorded during the exercise, particularly increased youth participation and the successful integration of NIN verification. According to the forum, the updated database will support data-driven planning, improve demographic insights, and strengthen engagement at the grassroots level.

Timetable and Financial Discipline Approved

The governors reviewed and endorsed the full timetable and institutional framework for the congresses and the national convention as approved by the NEC. They further stressed the need for transparent and coordinated financial management throughout the process to ensure fairness and accountability, including in states not governed by the APC.

Reiterating the importance of party unity, the forum called for responsible communication and collective discipline among party leaders, noting that internal harmony is critical to sustaining public confidence in the APC’s democratic credentials.

The PGF also announced plans for strategic state visits aimed at reinforcing grassroots structures and party cohesion, beginning with Taraba State before extending to other parts of the country. The forum formally welcomed the governors of Taraba and Plateau states into its fold.

Detailed Congress Schedule

In the official 2025/2026 schedule earlier released by APC National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, the party outlined a comprehensive timeline for its internal elections, in line with Articles 11 and 17 of the APC Constitution.

Notices for ward and local government congresses will be issued to state and FCT chapters from Monday, February 2, 2026. Sale and submission of forms for these levels will run from February 4 to February 9, followed by the inauguration of screening committees on February 10. Screening of aspirants is scheduled for February 11 to 13.

Ward congresses will hold on February 18, with appeals heard the following day. Local government congresses, which will also elect three delegates—at least one of them female—to the national convention, are fixed for February 20, with appeals slated for February 21.

State, Zonal Congresses and National Convention

Forms for state executive positions will be available from February 23 to February 27, with screening and appeals conducted in late February and early March. State congresses are scheduled for March 7, while appeals will be handled between March 9 and March 11.

At the zonal level, purchase and submission of forms for zonal congresses and the national convention will take place from March 12 to March 17. Screening of aspirants is set for March 19 and 20, ahead of zonal congresses on March 21.

The zonal congresses will be held across the six geopolitical zones, with designated centres in Ibadan (South-West), Enugu (South-East), Rivers/Cross River (South-South), Kaduna (North-West), Gombe/Bauchi (North-East), and Nasarawa (North-Central). Appeals from the zonal exercises will be heard on March 23.

Also Read: Phyna Denied Entry at Imisi’s Birthday Party Over Livestreaming Rule

The entire process will culminate in the APC National Convention, scheduled to take place between March 25 and March 28, bringing the party’s internal electoral process to a close ahead of the 2027 general elections.