The Nigeria Democratic Congress has closed the sale of Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms for its 2027 presidential race, with indications that former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, is the only aspirant who purchased the forms.
Sources within the party disclosed that Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, emerged as the sole contender after the deadline for presidential form sales expired.
While the presidential application process has officially ended, the NDC announced a one-week extension for aspirants contesting governorship, Senate, House of Representatives and State House of Assembly positions.
In a statement issued by the party’s National Secretary, Ikenna Morgan Enekweizu, the deadline earlier scheduled to end on May 17, 2026, has now been moved to midnight of May 24, 2026.
According to the statement, the extension only affects legislative and governorship aspirants, while the presidential category remains closed.
The party also released its screening timetable, revealing that verification and screening of aspirants who purchased forms will begin on May 19 and conclude on May 26, 2026.
Collection and submission of nomination forms for aspirants who successfully pass the screening exercise will run between May 20 and May 26.
The NDC warned that no additional extension would be granted after the new deadline and advised all aspirants to comply strictly with the party’s guidelines and timetable.
The party directed aspirants to appear for screening and pre-qualification interviews at designated venues nationwide with all required documents.
Among the documents listed are educational certificates, birth certificate or age declaration, passport photographs, voter’s card, NDC membership card and detailed curriculum vitae.
According to the party, all submitted documents must be provided in six copies for verification by the screening committee.
The NDC explained that aspirants would be assessed based on competence, credibility, local political realities, public acceptability and leadership capacity.
The party also instructed its screening committee to consider its affirmative action policy designed to encourage participation of women, youths and persons living with disabilities.
In addition, the NDC encouraged aspirants to embrace consensus arrangements where necessary to strengthen party unity ahead of the elections.
The party clarified that only aspirants cleared through the screening process would qualify to proceed with nomination forms.
With Obi standing as the only presidential aspirant so far, political observers believe the former Labour Party candidate may eventually emerge as the party’s consensus flag bearer for the 2027 election.
Obi recently defected from the African Democratic Congress to the Nigeria Democratic Congress as political alignments ahead of the next general election continue to intensify.
