The Nigeria Democratic Congress screening committee has cleared Peter Obi to contest the party’s presidential primary ahead of the 2027 general election, with the former Anambra State governor emerging as the sole presidential aspirant.
Sam Egwu, chairman of the NDC National Screening Committee and former governor of Ebonyi State, formally announced Obi’s clearance in a video released on the party’s official X account on Wednesday following the screening exercise held in Abuja on Tuesday.
Egwu said the committee was satisfied that Obi met all constitutional and statutory requirements to contest for the presidency and provided satisfactory answers to all questions posed by committee members.
“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,” Egwu said.
Egwu presented Obi with an official clearance letter and nomination form numbered 001, the party’s official designation for its presidential candidate nominee.
The NDC previously announced that it had zoned its presidential ticket to the South for a single four-year term in 2027, with the presidency expected to move to the North in 2031. This arrangement positions the South as the region from which the party’s presidential candidate would be selected in the 2027 election.
Obi commended both the screening committee and the NDC leadership for upholding democratic principles in the process.
“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.
“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 said.
Obi also praised the party leadership and the screening committee for what he called an open and reliable procedure.
“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,” he added.
The development comes amid ongoing political realignments ahead of the 2027 general election, with opposition parties intensifying consultations and preparations for party primaries and coalition talks.
