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The national chairman of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, David Mark, has warned that Nigeria is drifting toward a one-party system, accusing the All Progressives Congress, APC, of weakening opposition parties and democratic institutions in the country.
Speaking at the National Opposition Summit on Saturday in Ibadan, Mark alleged that ongoing political developments were aimed at limiting Nigerians’ ability to freely choose their leaders and consolidating power within a single dominant party structure.
He said opposition parties have faced sustained pressure in recent years, warning that such trends could threaten democratic balance if not checked.
Mark also raised concerns about electoral credibility, claiming that public confidence in the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has declined due to perceived lack of neutrality.
He urged opposition parties to prioritise unity and coalition-building, stressing that no single party can effectively challenge what he described as a highly entrenched political system.
According to him, the opposition must move beyond personal ambition and work collectively to safeguard democratic processes and ensure credible elections.
Mark warned that the current political direction could have long-term implications for Nigeria’s democratic system if corrective steps are not taken.
The ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, has shifted its presidential primary election to Saturday, May 23, 2026.
Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Durosinmi Meseko, disclosed this after the 186th meeting of the party’s National Working Committee NWC on Thursday in Abuja.
Meseko, who was accompanied to the briefing by the party’s National Leader of Persons with Disabilities, Tolu Bankole, said the new schedule supersedes an earlier timetable published only days ago and has been formally communicated to the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC in line with extant regulations.
Under the revised calendar, the sale of nomination forms begins this Saturday, April 25, and runs until Saturday, May 2, 2026. Completed forms and accompanying documents must be submitted no later than Monday, May 4.
Read Also: 2027: APC Releases Timetable For Primaries, Prices For Forms
Screening of aspirants for the House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, and Governorship will hold between Wednesday, May 6 and Friday, May 8, while Presidential aspirants will face their screening panel on Saturday, May 9. Screening results across all categories will be published on Monday, May 11, with appeals to be heard on Tuesday and Wednesday, May 12 and 13.
Primary elections will then roll out in sequence: House of Representatives on Friday, May 15; Senate on Monday, May 18; State House of Assembly on Wednesday, May 20; Governorship on Thursday, May 21; and the Presidential primary on Saturday, May 23. Post-primary appeal committees will sit in the days immediately following each primary.
The NWC also adopted a dual-mode primary system — direct and consensus — as provided in the Electoral Act, with a significant condition attached.
Aspirants are free to indicate their preference, but where any single aspirant in a consensus arrangement withholds agreement, the process automatically reverts to direct primaries.
Meseko moved to put to rest what he described as a rumour that nomination forms would be restricted to certain individuals. “Nomination forms for all aspirants seeking offices under the All Progressives Congress are open,” he declared. “Nomination forms are open for all members of the All Progressives Congress contesting elections.”
On party membership, he said the updated list of all newly registered APC members has been transmitted to INEC, bringing the party into full conformity with established rules.
Separately, the NWC approved a timetable for ward, local government area, and state congresses in Zamfara State, kicking off Tuesday, April 28, with screening of aspirants for ward executive positions. Ward congresses hold on Thursday, April 30, with LGA and state congresses following in the days after, and all resulting appeals to be resolved by Sunday, May 3.
Meseko said the APC “is now fully ready for the upcoming primary elections.”
The All Progressives Congress, APC, has released its 2027 timetable.
The party has pegged its presidential form on N100 million while its governorship form goes for N50 million.
The party said that sale of forms begins at the APC National Secretariat from Saturday, 25th April to Saturday, 2nd May, 2026
