The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has officially closed the sale of Expression of Interest Forms for its 2027 presidential ticket, with former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, emerging as the only aspirant to purchase the form. The development has fueled expectations that Obi could become the party’s consensus presidential candidate, pending screening and other internal party procedures.
While the presidential form sale has ended, the party announced a one-week extension for aspirants seeking tickets for governorship, Senate, House of Representatives and State Houses of Assembly positions. In a statement issued by the party’s National Secretary, Ikenna Morgan Enekweizu, the previous deadline of 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 17, 2026, was extended to 12 midnight on Sunday, May 24, 2026. He clarified that the extension does not apply to the presidential race.
According to the timetable released by the party, screening of aspirants who purchased and completed their forms will run from Tuesday, May 19, to Tuesday, May 26, 2026. Collection and submission of Nomination Forms for screened and cleared aspirants will begin on May 20 and close on May 26. The party warned that no additional extension would be granted and urged aspirants to strictly comply with its timetable and guidelines. Aspirants are expected to appear before screening panels nationwide with documents including educational certificates, birth certificate or declaration of age, passport photographs, voter’s card, NDC membership card and curriculum vitae, all submitted in six copies.
The NDC stated that its screening process would assess the wishes of the electorate, local realities, competence, capacity and character of aspirants, while also considering affirmative action for women, youths and persons living with disabilities. The party further encouraged consensus-building among aspirants, stressing that only candidates cleared through screening would qualify to purchase nomination forms. Obi, who contested the 2023 presidential election under the Labour Party banner, recently joined the NDC after leaving the African Democratic Congress (ADC). With no other contender entering the presidential race before the deadline, he now stands as the leading figure in the party’s early preparations for the 2027 election.
Elijah Adeyemi
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