Peter Obi stands unopposed for NDC presidential ticket

The Nigeria Democratic Congress has concluded 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 obtained the forms.

The party, however, announced a one-week extension for the purchase of Expression of Interest Forms for other elective offices, including governorship, Senate, House of Representatives, and State Assembly positions.

Party insiders disclosed that at the close of the presidential nomination process, Obi remained the sole contender for the ticket.

In a statement issued by the NDC National Secretary, Mr. Ikenna Morgan Enekweizu, the party explained that the earlier deadline of 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 17, 2026, had been shifted to midnight of Sunday, May 24, 2026, for non-presidential aspirants.

The statement clarified that the extension only affects aspirants seeking tickets into State Houses of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, and governorship elections, while the presidential application window has officially ended.

According to the party’s timetable, screening of aspirants who have obtained and completed the required forms will begin on Tuesday, May 19, and conclude on Tuesday, May 26, 2026.

The NDC further disclosed that the collection and submission of Nomination Forms for aspirants who successfully pass the screening stage will run from May 20 to May 26, 2026.

The party warned that no additional extension would be granted after the new deadline and urged all aspirants to strictly adhere to the approved timetable and procedures.

It also directed aspirants to appear for screening and pre-qualification exercises at designated centres nationwide with relevant credentials, including academic certificates, birth certificates or age declarations, passport photographs, voter cards, NDC membership cards, and curriculum vitae.

According to the statement, all documents submitted to the screening panel must be provided in six copies.

The party added that aspirants would be assessed based on factors such as competence, character, local considerations, and the preferences of the electorate.

The screening committee was also instructed to reflect the party’s affirmative action policy for women, youths, and persons living with disabilities during the exercise.

The NDC encouraged aspirants to embrace consensus arrangements, noting that only candidates cleared through the screening process would qualify to obtain nomination forms.

With the latest development, Obi, who recently moved from the African Democratic Congress to the NDC, is widely expected to emerge as the party’s consensus presidential candidate for the 2027 election