Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has fired the starting gun on the 2027 election cycle, announcing a primary schedule that requires presidential hopefuls to pay 100m Naira ($70,000 / £55,000) just to enter the race.

The announcement on Monday by APC spokesperson Felix Morka confirms that the battle to succeed—or challenge—President Bola Tinubu will begin in earnest on May 16, 2026. The move comes as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) prepares for a compressed electoral calendar, with the presidential vote now officially set for January 16, 2027.

However, as the ruling party consolidates its timeline, the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) remains a house divided, with two rival factions holding competing visions for the party’s future.

The High Cost of Ambition

The APC’s “Expression of Interest” and nomination fees have once again highlighted the staggering cost of politics in Africa’s most populous nation. While the party offers a 50% discount to women, youths, and people with disabilities, the “sticker price” for the presidency remains a significant barrier.

APC Primary Fees & Timeline:

• Presidential: 100m Naira ($70,000) — Primary set for May 16.
• Governorship: 50m Naira ($35,000) — Primary set for May 23.
• Senate/House: 20m and 10m Naira respectively.
• The Window: Forms go on sale from April 25, with a strict submission deadline of May 4.

A ‘House Divided’: The PDP Crisis

While the APC focuses on logistics, the opposition PDP is embroiled in a public civil war. On Monday, a faction backed by the powerful FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, met in Abuja to declare that the party’s “era of uncertainty” was over.

The move was immediately dismissed by a rival wing led by Tanimu Turaki, which is supported by several influential governors. Spokesperson Ini Ememobong described the Wike-backed meeting as a gathering of “APC apologists masquerading as PDP members,” accusing them of being a “branch of Tinubu supporters” operating within the opposition.

The split effectively leaves the PDP with two competing national working committees, both claiming legitimacy while multiple court cases remain pending.

Analysis: The Billion-Naira Ballot

In Nigeria, politics is often described as the “only game in town,” but the buy-in for that game is becoming increasingly exclusive. By setting a 100m Naira fee, the APC is ensuring that only the most well-funded “heavyweights” can make it to the starting line.

But the real story isn’t just the money; it’s the fragmentation of the opposition. For the PDP to have any hope of reclaiming the presidency in 2027, it must first decide who actually leads the party. Currently, the opposition is fighting itself more vigorously than it is fighting the ruling party. Meanwhile, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is eyeing a “consensus” model to avoid the high costs of primaries—a sign that smaller parties are searching for a “third way” as the two giants remain locked in a cycle of litigation and sky-high entry fees.

The Road to 2027

INEC has made it clear that the window for party primaries is narrow, running from April 23 to May 30, 2026. Official campaigning for the presidency will not begin until August 19, 2026.

As the APC prepares to screen its candidates in early May, the pressure is on the opposition to resolve its identity crisis. For now, the ruling party holds the advantage of a clear calendar, while its rivals are still debating which calendar to follow.