Peter Obi emerges sole NDC presidential candidate for 2027 polls

In Abuja on May 19, 2026, the Nigeria Democratic Congress closed the sale of its presidential nomination and expression of interest forms for the 2027 election, with former Anambra State governor Peter Obi emerging as the only aspirant to obtain the forms.

Party sources said the former Labour Party presidential candidate was the sole contender for the presidential ticket before the deadline expired. The development places Obi in a strong position to become the party’s presidential candidate ahead of the next general election.

While the presidential form sale has ended, the party extended the deadline for governorship, Senate, House of Representatives and state assembly aspirants by one week. The new deadline for those positions is now fixed for May 24, 2026.

The announcement was made by the party’s National Secretary, Ikenna Morgan Enekweizu, who said the extension only applies to other elective offices and not the presidential race.

According to the timetable released by the party, screening of aspirants who completed the required forms started on May 19 and will continue until May 26, 2026. The party also scheduled the collection and submission of nomination forms for cleared aspirants between May 20 and May 26.

The NDC directed all aspirants to attend screening and pre-qualification exercises with necessary documents, including certificates, voter’s cards, membership cards, passport photographs and curriculum vitae. The party stated that all submitted documents must be provided in multiple copies for verification.

Party officials also said aspirants would be assessed based on public acceptance, competence, character and local political considerations. The screening committee was further instructed to consider the party’s inclusion policy relating to women, youths and persons living with disabilities.

The party encouraged aspirants to work together through consensus arrangements and made it clear that only candidates cleared during screening would be allowed to proceed to the nomination stage.

The latest development follows Obi’s recent move from the African Democratic Congress to the NDC, a step that has continued to attract attention ahead of the 2027 presidential election.