The Nigeria Democratic Congress has officially closed the sale of Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms for its 2027 presidential ticket amid indications that former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, is the only aspirant who purchased the forms.
The party, however, 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.
Sources within the party disclosed that at the close of the presidential form sales, Obi was the sole aspirant to obtain the forms.
In a statement, the NDC National Secretary, Ikenna Morgan Enekweizu, said the deadline earlier 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 State Houses of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, and governorship positions.
The party clarified that the collection of Expression of Interest Forms for the office of the President had officially closed.
Under the timetable released by the party, screening of aspirants who have purchased and completed their forms is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, May 19, and end on Tuesday, May 26, 2026.
The NDC also disclosed that the collection and return of Nomination Forms for screened and cleared aspirants would commence on May 20 and close on May 26, 2026.
The party warned that no further extension would be granted beyond the new deadline and urged aspirants to comply strictly with all guidelines and timelines.
It directed aspirants to appear before screening and pre-qualification panels nationwide with required documents, including educational certificates, birth certificates or declarations of age, passport photographs, voter cards, NDC membership cards, and curriculum vitae.
According to the party, all submitted documents must be provided in six copies.
The NDC added that aspirants would be assessed based on factors including the wishes of the electorate, local peculiarities, competence, capacity, and character.
The party also instructed its Screening Committee to consider its affirmative action policy for women, youths, and persons living with disabilities.
The NDC encouraged aspirants to embrace consensus-building, noting that only candidates cleared through the screening process would be eligible to purchase nomination forms.
With the latest development, Obi who recently defected from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to the NDC is expected to emerge as the party’s consensus presidential candidate for the 2027 election.
