Obi becomes the only contender for NDC's top job

The Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, has concluded the sale of Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms for its 2027 presidential ticket, with indications suggesting that only Mr. Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party Presidential Candidate, purchased the forms.

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The party has, however, granted a one-week extension for the collection of Expression of Interest Forms for other elective positions, including governorship, Senate, House of Representatives, and State Houses of Assembly seats.

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As of the close of the presidential form sale, sources within the party revealed that Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, was the sole aspirant to have bought the forms.

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National Secretary Mr. Ikenna Morgan Enekweizu announced that the deadline, initially set for 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 17, 2026, has been pushed to 12 midnight on Sunday, May 24, 2026.

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This extension applies exclusively to aspirants vying for tickets to the State Houses of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, and Governorship positions, while the collection of Expression of Interest Forms for the office of the President has officially come to a close.

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According to the party's timetable, the screening of aspirants who have purchased and completed the forms will commence on Tuesday, May 19, and conclude on Tuesday, May 26, 2026.

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The collection and return of Nomination Forms for screened and cleared aspirants are scheduled to begin on May 20 and end on May 26, 2026.

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The NDC has warned that no further extensions will be granted beyond the new deadline and has urged aspirants to strictly adhere to the guidelines and timelines.

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All aspirants have been directed to appear for screening and pre-qualification interviews at designated venues nationwide, accompanied by relevant documents, including educational certificates, birth certificate or declaration of age, passport photographs, voter’s card, NDC membership card, and curriculum vitae.

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The statement stipulates that all documents submitted to the Screening Committee must be in six copies.

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Screening will be based on factors such as the wishes of the electorate, local peculiarities, capacity and competence, as well as the character of aspirants.

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The NDC has also instructed the Screening Committee to consider the party’s affirmative action policy for women, youths, and persons living with disabilities.

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The party has encouraged aspirants to engage in consensus-building, emphasizing that only those cleared through the screening process will be eligible to purchase nomination forms.

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Following this development, Obi, who recently defected to the NDC from the African Democratic Congress, ADC, is expected to emerge as the consensus presidential standard bearer.