The Nigeria Democratic Congress has concluded the sale of Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms for its 2027 presidential primary, with indications that only the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, obtained the forms.
However, the party extended the deadline for collecting Expression of Interest Forms for other elective offices — including governorship, Senate, House of Representatives, and State House of Assembly positions — by one week.
Party insiders revealed yesterday that by the close of the presidential form sales, Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, remained the sole aspirant to purchase the forms.
The National Secretary, Mr. Ikenna Morgan Enekweizu, announced that the previous deadline of 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 17, 2026, had been shifted to 12 midnight on Sunday, May 24, 2026.
According to the statement, the extension only affects aspirants contesting for State House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, and governorship tickets.
It clarified that the collection of Expression of Interest Forms for the presidential position had officially ended.
Based on the party’s timetable, screening for aspirants who bought and completed the forms will begin on Tuesday, May 19, and conclude on Tuesday, May 26, 2026.
The party also announced that the collection and submission of Nomination Forms for aspirants who pass the screening and clearance process will run from May 20 to May 26, 2026.
The NDC cautioned that there would be no additional extension beyond the revised deadline and advised aspirants to adhere strictly to the approved procedures and schedule.
Aspirants were instructed to attend screening and pre-qualification interviews at designated venues across the country with the necessary documents, including educational certificates, birth certificates or age declarations, passport photographs, voter’s cards, NDC membership cards, and curriculum vitae.
The statement added that all documents submitted to the Screening Committee must be provided in six copies.
The party further explained that the screening exercise would consider factors such as the preferences of the electorate, local considerations, competence, capability, and the personal character of aspirants.
The Screening Committee was also directed to reflect the party’s affirmative action policy for women, youths, and persons living with disabilities.
In addition, the party urged aspirants to promote consensus-building, emphasizing that only candidates cleared during the screening exercise would qualify to purchase nomination forms.
Following the latest development, Obi — who recently defected from the African Democratic Congress — is expected to emerge as the consensus presidential flag bearer of the NDC.
