The All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced that it has no immediate plans to extend the sale of expression of interest and nomination forms for aspirants preparing for the 2027 general elections.
This position was made known by the party’s National Chairman, Nantewe Yilwatda, while addressing journalists in Abuja. He stated that the process is progressing smoothly and remains firmly within the established timetable set by the party.
According to Yilwatda, any decision regarding a possible extension would be taken strictly in line with party procedures and only after deliberation by the National Working Committee (NWC).
“The party’s National Working Committee will decide at its meeting if there will be any room for extension,” he said. “There is a timeline for activities and if there will be any extension, we will follow due process. There is presently no extension for the sales of the forms.”
The APC chairman commended the conduct of the ongoing exercise, describing it as orderly and indicative of a well-structured internal process. He noted that the smooth sale of forms reflects the party’s preparedness and organisational strength ahead of the upcoming elections.
Yilwatda also used the opportunity to highlight what he described as the party’s commitment to internal democracy. He stated that the APC continues to provide a level playing field for all aspirants, regardless of status or background.
“The APC remains one of the most democratic political parties in the country, providing a level playing ground to all its members,” he said. “Someone has even picked a form to contest the presidency, and this shows the level of democracy we have in Nigeria.”
He added that the increasing number of aspirants seeking to contest under the APC platform is a testament to the party’s popularity and acceptance across the country. According to him, the level of participation signals confidence in the party’s structure and its chances in the 2027 general elections.
“The number of people coming to contest in our party tells us that it is the most acceptable in Nigeria,” he noted.
On the logistics of the process, Yilwatda assured that there have been no major challenges. He explained that financial institutions involved in the sale of the forms are carrying out their responsibilities efficiently, with party officials closely monitoring the process to ensure transparency and accountability.
“There is currently no challenge in the sale of forms as the banks have been doing the needful, with party staff overseeing the clearance,” he said. “The department in charge of receipts is up to its duties and is also monitoring social media to ascertain if people are complaining.”
The APC had earlier scheduled the sale of expression of interest and nomination forms to run from April 25 to May 2, a timeline the party insists remains unchanged.
Political observers say the firm stance on maintaining the deadline may be aimed at ensuring discipline within the party and avoiding delays in its electoral timetable. It also reflects an effort to project readiness and organisational efficiency as political activities begin to gather momentum ahead of 2027.
While some stakeholders had speculated about a possible extension to accommodate more aspirants, the party leadership’s position suggests a preference for sticking to its schedule unless compelling reasons arise.
As the deadline approaches, attention is expected to shift toward the next stages of the primary process, including screening and eventual selection of candidates who will fly the party’s flag in the general elections.
With the APC positioning itself as a major contender in the 2027 polls, the ongoing exercise is seen as a critical step in shaping the party’s electoral strategy and determining its candidates across various levels of government.
