The All Progressives Congress (APC) has set the stage for its upcoming 2025 bye-elections by releasing the official timetable and schedule of activities, including the cost of nomination forms for various elective positions. Aspiring senators will be required to pay N20 million for both the Expression of Interest and Nomination forms, while those vying for seats in the House of Representatives will pay N10 million. The breakdown for senatorial aspirants is N3 million for the Expression of Interest Form and N17 million for the Nomination Form. House of Representatives aspirants will pay N1 million for the Expression of Interest Form and N9 million for the Nomination Form. Aspirants contesting for State House of Assembly seats will pay a total of N2 million, comprising N500,000 for the Expression of Interest Form and N1.5 million for the Nomination Form.
The party has also introduced some concessions to encourage participation from specific demographics. Female aspirants and persons living with disabilities are exempted from paying for the Nomination Form, needing only to purchase the Expression of Interest Form. This initiative aims to promote inclusivity and provide equal opportunities for these groups to participate in the political process. Furthermore, young aspirants aged between 25 and 40 years will benefit from a 50% discount on the Nomination Form fee, encouraging youth participation in politics. This tiered pricing structure reflects the party’s commitment to balancing financial requirements with the need to broaden participation.
The party emphasized the importance of financial membership, stating that only those who have consistently paid their dues will be eligible to participate in the electoral process, either as voters or candidates. Delegates wishing to vote at the congresses must be financial members with a minimum of three months’ dues paid at a rate of N200 per month. Delegate forms will be sold for N5,000. This underscores the party’s emphasis on members fulfilling their financial obligations to ensure the smooth running of party activities and electoral processes. The party’s emphasis on financial membership reinforces its commitment to maintaining a robust and active membership base.
The schedule of activities for the bye-elections has been meticulously outlined, commencing with the issuance of a notice of election to state chapters on Monday, June 30, 2025. Subsequently, the party will embark on a revalidation and update of its membership register from Tuesday, July 1, to Saturday, July 5, coinciding with the period for the sale of nomination forms. This synchronization allows potential aspirants to confirm their membership status while procuring the necessary forms. Completed forms and supporting documents must be submitted by Monday, July 7, paving the way for the screening of aspirants, scheduled for Thursday, July 10.
The primary elections, the crucial stage where party members select their flagbearers, are slated to hold between July 22 and July 26. The announcement of the final candidates is expected on Saturday, July 26, marking the culmination of the internal party selection process. This timeframe provides sufficient time for the party to organize and conduct the primaries effectively while allowing aspirants ample opportunity to campaign and connect with party members. The announcement of the final candidates will then set the stage for the official campaign period.
Following the primaries, the official campaign period will commence on Saturday, July 26, and conclude on Thursday, August 14, providing a designated timeframe for candidates to engage with the electorate and present their platforms. The bye-elections are scheduled for Saturday, August 16, 2025. This structured timeline ensures a fair and organized electoral process, allowing for adequate campaigning while adhering to stipulated regulations. The APC has reiterated its commitment to conducting transparent primaries compliant with the Electoral Act, urging all participants to adhere strictly to the guidelines. Only members who have paid their dues for at least a year up to July 2025 and whose names appear on the membership register will be eligible to participate in the elections, emphasizing the importance of maintaining an updated and accurate membership record.
