The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has officially unveiled the timetable for its nationwide ward, local government, state, and zonal congresses, culminating in the party's national convention scheduled for March 2026. The schedule, signed by National Secretary Senator Ajibola Basiru, was released on December 20, 2025, via the party's official channels, marking a key step in the APC's internal restructuring ahead of future elections.
The process kicks off with a nationwide electronic membership registration exercise, which commenced on December 1, 2025, and is set to conclude on January 30, 2026. This digital revalidation aims to update and sanitize the party's membership database, ensuring accurate records for the upcoming congresses. Party leaders have emphasized the compulsory nature of this registration, urging all members to participate to prepare for elective positions.
Following the registration, formal notices of congresses will be issued to state chapters and the Federal Capital Territory on February 2, 2026. Preparatory activities include the purchase and submission of nomination forms for ward and local government positions from February 4 to February 9, 2026, with screening committees inaugurated shortly thereafter.
Ward congresses are fixed for Wednesday, February 18, 2026, nationwide, with appeals from these congresses to be addressed on February 19. Local government congresses, which will also involve electing three national convention delegates per LGA (including at least one female), are scheduled for Friday, February 20, 2026, followed by appeals on February 21.
State-level activities begin with the sale of forms for state executive positions from February 23 to February 27, 2026 (noting some reports indicate 2025, likely a typographical error in initial releases). Screening and appeals will follow in late February and early March, leading to state congresses on Saturday, March 7, 2026. Appeals from state congresses will be handled between March 9 and March 11.
The zonal congresses will occur simultaneously across Nigeria's six geopolitical zones on Saturday, March 21, 2026. Designated venues include Ibadan (South West), Enugu (South East), Rivers/Cross River (South South), Kaduna (North West), Gombe/Bauchi (North East), and Nasarawa (North Central). Nomination forms for zonal positions and the national convention will be available from March 12 to March 17, 2026, with appeals from zonal congresses on March 23.
The timetable culminates in the APC National Convention, set for Wednesday, March 25, to Saturday, March 28, 2026, in Abuja. This four-day event will elect national officers and address key party matters, in line with Articles 11 and 17 of the APC Constitution.
The release follows the party's National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on December 18, 2025, where discussions on membership registration and congress timelines were prioritized. APC National Chairman Professor Nentawe Yilwatda has stressed the importance of transparent and inclusive processes to strengthen the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
This cycle comes amid significant growth for the APC, including recent high-profile defections from opposition governors, consolidating its position as Nigeria's dominant political force. The congresses are expected to renew party structures at the grassroots, fostering unity and preparing for upcoming off-cycle governorship polls, such as in Anambra State.
Party stakeholders have welcomed the timetable for its clarity and provision for appeal mechanisms at each stage, aimed at minimizing disputes. Further guidelines on conduct, eligibility, and zoning formulas are anticipated in the coming weeks.
As Nigeria's political landscape evolves, these internal democratic exercises underscore the APC's commitment to constitutional compliance and member participation, setting the stage for robust leadership emergence.
