May 19, (THEWILL) — The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has officially closed the sale of Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms for its 2027 presidential ticket, with former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, emerging as the sole aspirant in the race.
The development has fuelled growing expectations within political circles that Obi may eventually emerge as the consensus presidential standard-bearer of the party ahead of the 2027 general election.
While the party shut the window for presidential aspirants, it announced a one-week extension for the collection of Expression of Interest Forms for governorship, Senate, House of Representatives and State Houses of Assembly positions.
Party sources disclosed that at the close of the presidential nomination process, Obi was the only aspirant, who purchased the forms, effectively leaving him without any challenger for the party’s top ticket.
Obi recently defected to the NDC from the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a move widely interpreted as part of broader political realignments ahead of the next election cycle.
In a statement issued by the National Secretary of the party, Ikenna Morgan Enekweizu, the NDC confirmed that the earlier deadline fixed for 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 17, 2026, had been extended to 12 midnight on Sunday, May 24, 2026, for other elective offices.
The statement clarified that the extension applied strictly to aspirants seeking tickets to the State Houses of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate and governorship positions, stressing that the collection of Expression of Interest Forms for the office of the President had officially ended.
According to the timetable released by the party, screening of aspirants who purchased and completed the forms commenced on Tuesday, May 19, and will end on Tuesday, May 26, 2026.
The party also disclosed that the collection and return of Nomination Forms for screened and cleared aspirants would begin on May 20 and close on May 26, 2026.
The NDC warned that no further extension would be granted beyond the new deadline and urged aspirants to comply with all guidelines and timelines.
It directed all aspirants to appear for screening and pre-qualification interviews at designated venues nationwide with relevant documents, including educational certificates, birth certificates or declarations of age, passport photographs, voter’s cards, NDC membership cards and curriculum vitae.
According to the statement, all documents submitted to the Screening Committee must be provided in six copies.
The party explained that aspirants would be evaluated based on the wishes of the electorate, local political realities, competence, leadership capacity and personal character. It further directed the Screening Committee to consider the party’s affirmative action policy for women, youths and persons living with disabilities during the screening process.
The NDC also encouraged aspirants across all categories to embrace consensus-building as part of efforts to strengthen party unity ahead of the 2027 elections.
With no rival currently in the race, attention is expected to shift to the party’s screening process and eventual ratification of Obi as its presidential candidate for the 2027 election.
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