The All Progressives Congress (APC) has unveiled its comprehensive roadmap for the 2026 Ekiti State governorship election, meticulously outlining the sequence of events and deadlines governing the selection of its candidate. This detailed timetable, released by the party’s National Organising Secretary, Sulaiman Argungu, and disseminated via the party’s official X account, provides a clear framework for aspirants and party members to navigate the electoral process. The schedule underscores the party’s commitment to transparency and adherence to established procedures, ensuring a level playing field for all contenders vying for the governorship ticket.
The electoral journey commences on July 25, 2025, with the formal notification of the upcoming election to the Ekiti State chapter of the APC. A crucial subsequent step involves updating the party’s membership register, a process spanning from July 28 to August 15, 2025. The party emphasizes the importance of this update, stipulating that only registered members with current dues payments are eligible to participate in the voting process, both as voters and candidates. This measure ensures the integrity of the electoral process and safeguards against ineligible individuals influencing the outcome.
The next phase involves the acquisition of nomination and expression of interest forms, scheduled to begin on August 18 and conclude on September 2, 2025. Aspirants must submit their completed forms, along with necessary documentation and delegate forms, by September 11, 2025. The subsequent screening of aspirants, a critical juncture in the selection process, is set for September 23 and 24, with results announced on September 25. An appeal window for aspirants contesting the screening outcome is open until September 26, allowing for redress of any perceived grievances related to the screening process.
The Delegate Congress, a pivotal event in determining the party’s flagbearer, is scheduled for October 2, 2025, with an appeals process for the congress results the following day. The primary election, the culmination of the selection process, will be held on October 27, 2025, followed by a period for appeals from October 29 to 30. A congress to ratify the primary election results, in accordance with the 2022 Electoral Act, will be convened on October 28, 2025, further reinforcing the party’s commitment to legal compliance. Aspirants can obtain access codes for submitting their nomination forms from November 10, 2025. The list of nominated candidates will be submitted to the National Working Committee (NWC) on January 7, 2026, culminating in the submission of the final candidate list to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) portal by January 16, 2026.
The campaign period, a crucial window for candidates to engage with the electorate, will formally commence on April 6, 2026, and conclude on June 18, 2026, allowing ample time for political discourse and public engagement. The governorship election itself is slated for June 20, 2026, marking the culmination of the electoral process. This structured timeframe ensures that all stakeholders have sufficient time to prepare and participate effectively in each stage of the electoral cycle.
The APC has set the cost of nomination and expression of interest forms at ₦50 million for governorship aspirants, with the expression of interest component priced at ₦10 million and the nomination form at ₦40 million. However, the party has implemented provisions for female aspirants and persons with disabilities, waiving the nomination form fee while requiring only the purchase of the expression of interest form. Young aspirants aged 25 to 40 benefit from a 50% discount on the nomination form, while still needing to purchase the expression of interest form. Delegate forms are priced at ₦5,000, with eligibility contingent upon consistent financial contributions for at least three months prior to the delegate congress, at a rate of ₦200 per month. These financial stipulations aim to ensure a committed and invested pool of participants in the delegate selection process.
