Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has officially screened and cleared former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, to participate in the party’s presidential primary election.
The announcement was made by the Chairman of the NDC National Screening Committee and former Ebonyi State governor, Senator Sam Egwu, in a video shared on the party’s official X account on Wednesday.
Egwu explained that the screening committee was satisfied that Obi fulfilled all constitutional and legal conditions required to contest for the office of president under the party’s guidelines, the Electoral Act, and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
According to him, “This is to certify that, following the screening of His Excellency Peter Obi by the National Screening Committee of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, and having satisfied ourselves that he has complied with all the requirements of the constitution of the party, the Electoral Act, and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), dealing with eligibility to contest the presidential election, and having provided satisfactory answers to all questions put to him by members of the committee, he is hereby cleared to contest in the presidential primaries of the party for the 2027 presidential election on dates to be announced by the party.”
The screening exercise was held in Abuja on Tuesday, with Obi arriving at the NDC national secretariat shortly after Senator Egwu and other committee members arrived at the venue.
Reacting to the development through his official X account on Wednesday, Obi revealed that the exercise lasted more than two and a half hours, during which the committee thoroughly examined his credentials and questioned him on his plans and vision for Nigeria.
“Yesterday, May 19, in Abuja, I attended the presidential screening organised by our party, which took over two and a half hours. They carefully reviewed all my documents, including my degree certificates, NYSC credentials, and age declarations,” Obi stated.
“During the process, I also addressed questions regarding my vision for a new Nigeria and the type of leadership our nation urgently needs right now.”
“Following this, I was cleared and received the presidential nomination form I had previously paid for,” he added.
The former Labour Party presidential candidate also commended the screening committee and the NDC leadership for conducting what he described as a transparent and credible process.
“I would like to commend the screening committee, led by former governor Sam Egwu, for their thorough and professional approach. Additionally, I appreciate our party’s leadership for upholding the democratic process,” Obi said.
The latest development comes amid ongoing political consultations, coalition discussions, and realignments ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with opposition parties intensifying preparations for primaries and possible alliances.
Peter Obi currently remains the only aspirant cleared by the NDC for the presidential race after emerging as the sole individual who purchased the party’s expression of interest and nomination forms before the deadline.
It would be recalled that the NDC recently announced the closure of sales for its presidential nomination forms while extending deadlines for governorship, Senate, House of Representatives, and State Assembly aspirants.
In a statement signed by the party’s National Secretary, Ikenna Morgan Enekweizu, the NDC disclosed that the deadline for collecting expression of interest forms for other positions had been extended from May 17 to May 24, 2026.
The party also stated that screening for aspirants seeking other elective offices would continue until May 26, while the collection and submission of nomination forms for cleared aspirants would run between May 20 and May 26.
What you should know
Peter Obi’s clearance by the Nigeria Democratic Congress marks a major step in the party’s preparations for the 2027 presidential election.
With Obi currently standing as the only presidential aspirant within the NDC, political observers believe he is on course to emerge as the party’s consensus candidate unless fresh developments occur before the primaries.
The move also reflects ongoing political realignments among opposition figures ahead of the next election cycle.
Obi’s decision to align with the NDC after previous political engagements elsewhere has continued to generate nationwide attention, especially among supporters hoping for a stronger opposition coalition capable of challenging the ruling APC in 2027.
