By Sandra Ugwu

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, Peter Obi, is the party’s sole aspirant.

The development positions Obi to emerge as the party’s consensus presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 general election.
According to sources within the party, Obi was the only aspirant to purchase the presidential forms before the deadline elapsed.

The party, however, announced a one-week extension for aspirants seeking tickets for other elective offices, including governorship, Senate, House of Representatives and State Houses of Assembly seats.

In a statement issued by the National Secretary, Ikenna Morgan Enekweizu, the NDC said the deadline, initially scheduled to end at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 17, had been extended to midnight on Sunday, May 24, 2026.

The extension applies only to governorship and legislative positions, while the sale of forms for the presidential race has officially closed.

The party's timetable indicates that screening of aspirants who have completed the process will begin on May 19 and conclude on May 26. Collection and submission of nomination forms for cleared aspirants will run from May 20 to May 26.

The NDC also stated that aspirants are expected to appear before screening panels with relevant documents, including educational certificates, birth certificates or declarations of age, passport photographs, voter cards, party membership cards and curriculum vitae.

According to the party, screening decisions would consider factors such as the wishes of the electorate, competence, character, local considerations and its affirmative action policy for women, youths and persons living with disabilities.

Obi recently moved to the NDC from the African Democratic Congress, further fueling expectations that he could emerge as the party’s standard bearer for the 2027 presidential election.