Sources within the party disclosed that consultations and negotiations are still ongoing among top stakeholders as efforts intensify to settle on a preferred consensus candidate.

Party insiders revealed that the leadership has been unable to reach a final agreement among its three major presidential hopefuls — Rotimi Amaechi, Atiku Abubakar, and Mohammed Hayatu-Deen.

According to a source familiar with the situation, the latest postponement is intended to buy more time for the party to settle internal disputes and prevent deeper cracks before the presidential primary.

“The ADC presidential screening exercise has been moved from Monday to Wednesday,” the source said.

“The party has failed to agree on a consensus candidate between Amaechi, Atiku, and Hayatu-Deen.”

Insiders also indicated that uncertainty is now hanging over the party’s presidential primary election earlier scheduled for May 25.

Sources claimed that financial constraints and disagreements surrounding the consensus arrangement have further complicated preparations for the crucial exercise.

“Even their primaries date is now uncertain; they don’t have enough funds, and Atiku is resisting any consensus arrangement that does not favour him,” another source alleged.

The ADC had earlier, on Saturday, announced the postponement of its screening exercise for presidential and governorship aspirants.

The screening, initially fixed for the weekend, was first moved to Monday, May 18, 2026.

In a statement issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC also stated that screening for some federal legislative aspirants from parts of Northern Nigeria would now take place in Abuja due to security concerns.

“All affected aspirants will be duly contacted with the updated schedules and necessary details,” the statement noted.

Earlier, the party released its full timetable for the 2027 primary elections and approved nomination fees for all elective offices.

According to the schedule, sales of nomination forms were slated for May 5 to May 10, while submission of completed forms was fixed for May 11 to May 13.

Screening was originally planned for May 14 and May 15, with publication of results expected on May 17.

Appeals were scheduled for May 18 and May 19, while the final list of cleared aspirants was to be released on May 20.

The party also outlined that primaries for State Houses of Assembly, House of Representatives, and Senate positions would begin on May 21.

Governorship primaries are expected on May 22, while the presidential primary remains tentatively scheduled for May 25, pending any further changes.

Under the approved fee structure, the presidential nomination form costs ₦100 million, governorship ₦50 million, Senate ₦20 million, House of Representatives ₦10 million, and State House of Assembly ₦3 million.