May 20, (THEWILL) — Ahead of the 2027 general elections, opposition political parties intensified preparations for presidential primaries on Wednesday, as former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, secured clearance from the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) to contest its presidential ticket, while former Vice President Atiku Abubakar appeared before the presidential screening committee of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Abuja.
The development signals growing political activity and strategic realignments among opposition parties seeking to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the next general election.
The Chairman of the NDC National Screening Committee and former Ebonyi State governor, Sam Egwu, announced Obi’s clearance in a video shared on the party’s official X account on Wednesday.
Egwu stated that the committee was satisfied that Obi fulfilled all constitutional and statutory requirements needed to participate in the party’s presidential primaries.
“This is to certify that, following the screening of His Excellency Peter Obi by the National Screening Committee of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, and having satisfied ourselves that he has complied with all the requirements of the constitution of the party, the Electoral Act, and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), dealing with eligibility to contest the presidential election, and having provided satisfactory answers to all questions put to him by members of the committee, he is hereby cleared to contest in the presidential primaries of the party for the 2027 presidential election on dates to be announced by the party”, Egwu declared.
The screening exercise, which held in Abuja on Tuesday, reportedly lasted more than two and a half hours.
Obi, who arrived at the NDC national secretariat shortly after Egwu entered the venue, later confirmed his clearance in a statement posted on his official X account.
According to him, members of the screening committee examined his academic qualifications, National Youth Service Corps credentials and age declaration documents before questioning him extensively on his plans for the country and the leadership direction Nigeria urgently requires.
“Yesterday, May 19, in Abuja, I attended the presidential screening organised by our party, which took over two and a half hours. They carefully reviewed all my documents, including my degree certificates, NYSC credentials, and age declarations. During the process, I also addressed questions regarding my vision for a new Nigeria and the type of leadership our nation urgently needs right now. Following this, I was cleared and received the presidential nomination form I had previously paid for”, Obi stated.
The former governor also commended the screening committee and the party leadership for conducting what he described as a credible and transparent exercise.
“I would like to commend the screening committee, led by former governor Sam Egwu, for their thorough and professional approach. Additionally, I appreciate our party’s leadership for upholding the democratic process”, Obi added.
THEWILL reports that Obi remains the sole presidential aspirant of the NDC after emerging as the only politician to purchase the party’s expression of interest and nomination forms for the presidency.
The NDC had earlier announced the closure of the sale of presidential expression of interest and nomination forms on Monday. However, the party extended the deadline for the collection of expression of interest forms for other elective positions ahead of the 2027 polls.
In a statement signed by the party’s National Secretary, Ikenna Morgan Enekweizu, the NDC disclosed that the deadline earlier fixed for May 17, 2026, had been shifted to midnight on May 24, 2026.
The extension affects aspirants contesting for seats in the State Houses of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate and governorship elections.
The party further stated that screening of aspirants who purchased and completed their forms would run from May 19 to May 26, while the collection and return of nomination forms for screened and cleared aspirants commenced on May 20.
Meanwhile, Atiku on Wednesday, appeared before the ADC Presidential Screening Committee at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja, as the party intensified consultations and preparations for its presidential primaries.
The former vice president arrived at the venue around 12:20 p.m. alongside several political allies, including former Sokoto State governor, Aminu Tambuwal; former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami; former Police Affairs Minister, Maina Waziri; and former Imo State governor, Emeka Ihedioha.
The ADC had appointed former Cross River State governor, Liyel Imoke, to chair its Presidential Screening Committee.
Atiku’s appearance before the panel comes amid heightened political maneuvering within opposition circles as parties seek to consolidate support and strengthen their structures ahead of the 2027 presidential contest.
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