Peter Obi has emerged as the sole presidential aspirant of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, following the closure of the party’s sale of Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms for the 2027 presidential election. Party sources disclosed that Obi was the only aspirant to purchase the presidential forms before the deadline expired. The NDC, however, announced an extension for the sale of Expression of Interest Forms for other elective offices, including governorship, Senate, House of Representatives and State Houses of Assembly positions. The extension shifted the deadline from May 17 to midnight of May 24, 2026.
In a statement signed by the party’s National Secretary, Ikenna Morgan Enekweizu, the NDC said the extension was aimed at giving more aspirants the opportunity to complete the process. “The deadline for the collection of Expression of Interest Forms for the State Houses of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, and Governorship positions… has been extended to 12:00 midnight on Sunday, 24th May, 2026,” the statement read.
The party clarified that the extension did not apply to the presidential race, stressing that “the collection of Expression of Interest Forms for the office of the President has officially closed.” This development effectively leaves Obi as the lone contender for the party’s presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 polls.
According to the revised timetable released by the party, screening of aspirants who have completed the forms will commence on May 19 and end on May 26, while the collection and return of nomination forms for cleared aspirants will run from May 20 to May 26.
“The collection and return of Nomination Forms for all screened and cleared aspirants will commence on Wednesday, 20th May, 2026, and close on Tuesday, 26th May, 2026,” the statement added.
The NDC directed all aspirants to appear for screening and pre-qualification interviews at designated venues nationwide with required documents, including educational certificates, birth certificates or declarations of age, passport photographs, voter cards, party membership cards and curriculum vitae.
The party also stipulated that all documents submitted to the Screening Committee must be provided in six copies. It warned aspirants to comply strictly with the timetable, insisting that no further extension would be granted after the new deadline.
In addition, the NDC instructed its screening committee to consider “the wishes of the electorate, local peculiarities, capacity and competence, as well as the character of aspirants” during the screening exercise. The party further emphasized its affirmative action policy for women, youths and persons living with disabilities.
The development strengthens expectations that Obi, who recently defected from the African Democratic Congress to the NDC, could emerge as the party’s consensus presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.
