NDC begins screening of candidates, extends deadline for purchase of nomination forms

From Adesuwa Tsan, Abuja

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has extended the deadline for the collection of its Expression of Interest Forms for aspirants seeking elective offices in the 2027 elections.

In a statement by the National Secretary, Ikenna Morgan Enekweizu, the party said the deadline has been extended to Sunday, May 24.

The extension affects aspirants contesting for seats in the Houses of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate and governorship positions as the collection of Expression of Interest Forms for the office of the president has closed.

According to the statement, screening of aspirants who have purchased and completed the Expression of Interest Forms commenced today and would end on Tuesday, May 26.

It added that the collection and return of nomination forms for the screened and cleared aspirants would begin on Wednesday, May 20 and close on Tuesday, May 26.

The NDC urged all aspirants to strictly comply with the timelines, stressing that no further extension would be granted after the new deadline. Aspirants were directed to appear for screening and pre-qualification interviews at designated venues with educational certificates, birth certificates or declarations of age, four recent passport photographs, voter identification cards, NDC membership cards and copies of their curriculum vitae.

The party added that all documents submitted to the Screening Committee must be provided in six copies each. It noted that screening would be based on factors, including the wishes of the electorate, local peculiarities, capacity and competence of aspirants and character.

It announced that the committee would take into consideration its affirmative action policy for women, youths and persons living with disabilities.

While encouraging aspirants to pursue consensus-building, it noted that only aspirants cleared by the screening committee would be eligible to purchase nomination forms.