The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has closed the sale of Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms for its 2027 presidential ticket, with indications that former Labour Party presidential candidate, , is the only aspirant who purchased the forms.
The development positions Obi, who recently defected from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to the NDC, as the likely consensus presidential candidate of the party ahead of the 2027 general election.
While the sale of presidential forms has officially ended, the party announced a one-week extension for the collection of Expression of Interest Forms for other elective positions, including governorship, Senate, House of Representatives and State Houses of Assembly seats.
In a statement, the National Secretary of the party, , said the earlier deadline fixed for 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 17, 2026, had been extended to 12 midnight on Sunday, May 24, 2026.
According to the statement, the extension applies only to aspirants contesting for governorship, Senate, House of Representatives and State Assembly positions, while the collection of Expression of Interest Forms for the office of the President has officially closed.
The party also released its timetable for the screening process, stating that screening of aspirants who have purchased and completed their forms commenced on Tuesday, May 19, and will end on Tuesday, May 26, 2026.
It added that the collection and return of Nomination Forms for screened and cleared aspirants would begin on May 20 and close on May 26, 2026.
The NDC warned that no further extension would be granted beyond the new deadline and urged aspirants to strictly comply with the party’s guidelines and timelines.
The party further directed all aspirants to appear for screening and pre-qualification interviews at designated venues nationwide with relevant documents, including educational certificates, birth certificates or declarations of age, passport photographs, voter’s cards, NDC membership cards and curriculum vitae.
According to the statement, all documents submitted to the Screening Committee must be provided in six copies.
The NDC explained that aspirants would be assessed based on the wishes of the electorate, local peculiarities, competence, capacity and character.
The party also instructed the Screening Committee to consider its affirmative action policy for women, youths and persons living with disabilities during the exercise.
In addition, the party encouraged aspirants to embrace consensus-building, stressing that only aspirants cleared through the screening process would be eligible to purchase nomination forms.
With Obi emerging as the sole presidential aspirant so far, political observers believe the former Anambra governor may eventually emerge as the party’s consensus flag bearer for the 2027 presidential election.
