The Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, has moved into the next phase of its 2027 election preparations with the closure of sales for its presidential Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms, leaving former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, as the only aspirant known to have entered the race.

The development is expected to shape the party’s internal political calculations ahead of its screening exercise scheduled to begin this week.
Party officials confirmed that while the presidential window has officially closed, aspirants contesting governorship, Senate, House of Representatives and State Assembly seats have been given an additional one week to complete their processes. According to the party’s National Secretary, Ikenna Morgan Enekweizu, the extension shifts the deadline for those categories to midnight of May 24, 2026, as the party seeks broader participation across states and constituencies.

The decision highlights the NDC’s effort to balance speed with internal organisation as political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general election. Under the timetable released by the party, screening and pre-qualification interviews for aspirants will run from May 19 to May 26, after which cleared contestants will proceed to collect and submit nomination forms within the same period.

Officials say the process is designed to avoid disputes and ensure only qualified aspirants move into the next stage.

Party sources disclosed that Peter Obi, who recently joined the NDC after leaving the African Democratic Congress, ADC, was the sole aspirant to purchase the presidential forms before the deadline expired. Though the party has yet to formally declare a consensus candidate, political observers say the absence of other contenders may strengthen Obi’s position ahead of the primaries and reinforce ongoing coalition talks within opposition circles.

The NDC said all aspirants appearing before its screening committee must present key documents, including academic certificates, voter’s cards, curriculum vitae, passport photographs and party membership identification. The party also directed candidates to submit multiple copies of their credentials, adding that competence, public acceptability, local realities and character assessment would form part of the evaluation process.

Officials further stated that affirmative action considerations for women, youths and persons living with disabilities would be factored into the exercise.

Political analysts say the party’s latest move reflects a broader attempt to project order, transparency and early preparedness ahead of a highly competitive election cycle. With the presidential field appearing largely settled for now, attention is likely to shift toward how the NDC manages consensus-building, accommodates regional interests and handles the growing expectations surrounding Obi’s emergence as the party’s leading figure for 2027.