By Ghazali Ibrahim
Former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, has been cleared to contest the presidential primary of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, ahead of the 2027 general election.
The clearance was announced on Wednesday by the chairman of the party’s National Screening Committee and former Ebonyi State governor, Senator Sam Egwu.
Speaking in a video shared on the party’s official X account, Egwu said Obi satisfied all constitutional and statutory requirements needed to participate in the party’s presidential primary.
“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, he is hereby cleared to contest in the presidential primaries of the party,” Egwu stated.
Obi underwent screening in Abuja on Tuesday, where members of the committee reportedly examined his credentials and questioned him on his plans for Nigeria.
Reacting via his official X handle, Obi disclosed that the exercise lasted over two and a half hours.
“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,” he wrote.
“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.”
The former Labour Party presidential candidate added that he had received the party’s nomination form after being cleared.
Obi also praised the screening committee and the leadership of the NDC for conducting what he described as a transparent and credible process.
The development comes amid growing political realignments ahead of the 2027 elections, with opposition parties stepping up consultations and coalition talks.
Obi currently remains the sole presidential aspirant of the NDC after the party officially closed the sale of expression of interest and nomination forms for the presidency.
Meanwhile, the NDC extended the deadline for the collection of expression of interest forms for other elective offices, including governorship, Senate, House of Representatives and State Assembly positions, to May 24, 2026.
