Ahead of the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) official August 19 kick-off date for Presidential and National Assembly election campaigns, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has assured party members that it will soon unveil a detailed nationwide campaign programme.

The commission’s revised timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 General Elections designate Wednesday, August 19, 2026, as the official commencement of campaigns for the presidential and federal legislative elections, ahead of the polls scheduled for January 16, 2027.

Briefing journalists in Abuja on Monday after a three-hour meeting of the National Working Committee (NWC) at Muhammadu Buhari House, APC National Publicity Secretary, Barrister Felix Morka, said the party was deliberately taking time to properly structure its campaign strategy before hitting the campaign trail.

Morka acknowledged the date fixed by the electoral umpire but clarified that the commencement of the statutory campaign window does not require political parties to immediately organise rallies or launch campaign activities.

“August 19 is the date fixed by INEC for all parties to start the presidential and National Assembly campaign,” Morka explained. “There is no law that we must start on that day. The only thing is, no political party is permitted to start ahead of the day.”

The party spokesman said the APC was prioritising consultations and adequate preparation rather than rushing into campaign activities.

“The party is coming up with a comprehensive and well-thought-out nationwide campaign schedule after necessary consultation with critical stakeholders and affected candidates,” he stated.

“There is no law that says we must start on Wednesday.”

The development comes as political parties prepare for what is expected to be an intense campaign season ahead of the 2027 general elections, with the APC expected to mobilise its structures across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

Under INEC’s revised timetable, campaigns for governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections are scheduled to commence on September 9, 2026.

The Presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for January 16, 2027, while the governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will hold on February 6, 2027.

The electoral guidelines also require public political campaigns to cease 24 hours before Election Day.

The APC’s planned campaign programme is expected to outline the party’s national rallies, regional flag-offs and candidate tours, as well as other mobilisation activities across the country.

With the official campaign window opening on Wednesday, attention is now turning to how the ruling party will translate its extensive political structures into a coordinated nationwide campaign ahead of the 2027 elections.