Peter Obi, the former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, has been confirmed as the sole aspirant for the presidential ticket of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in the lead-up to the 2027 general election.

This development comes after the closure of the sale of Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms for the party’s presidential primary, with party insiders reporting that Obi was the only candidate to complete the necessary process before the deadline.

In contrast, the NDC has announced an extension for aspirants seeking positions in other elective offices across the nation. This extension impacts roles such as governorship, Senate, House of Representatives, and State Houses of Assembly.

According to a statement from the party’s National Secretary, Mr. Ikenna Morgan Enekweizu, the deadline for collecting Expression of Interest Forms for these categories has been postponed from May 17 to May 24, 2026.

It is important to note that this extension does not apply to the presidential race, as the party has officially closed the window for presidential aspirants.

With Obi being the only candidate, there is growing speculation that he may be positioned as the consensus candidate for the NDC in the upcoming election cycle.

Obi recently joined the NDC after parting ways with the African Democratic Congress, ADC, a move that sparked fresh political conversations within opposition circles and among his supporters nationwide.

According to the timetable released by the party, screening of aspirants will begin on Tuesday, May 19, and end on May 26. The process will cover aspirants who successfully purchased and submitted their completed forms.

The party also fixed May 20 to May 26 for the collection and return of Nomination Forms by aspirants who scale through the screening stage.

The NDC warned that no further extension would be granted after the new deadline and urged aspirants to strictly comply with the timetable and submission guidelines.

It directed all aspirants to appear before screening and pre-qualification panels with relevant documents, including educational certificates, birth certificates or age declarations, passport photographs, voter’s cards, party membership cards and curriculum vitae.

According to the party, all documents are expected to be submitted in six copies to the Screening Committee.

The NDC further explained that aspirants would be assessed based on competence, capacity, character and acceptability among the electorate, while local political realities would also be considered during the screening exercise.

The party added that its affirmative action policy would remain a major consideration, especially for women, youths and persons living with disabilities seeking elective positions under its platform.

It also encouraged aspirants to embrace consensus arrangements where necessary in order to strengthen internal unity ahead of the elections.

The Permanent Secretary for Special Services in the Office of the Secretary to the Bauchi State Government, Shehu Yahaya Jalam has died in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, while participating in this year’s Hajj pilgrimage.

Jalam passed away in the early hours of Sunday after a brief illness.

The deceased, who bore the traditional title of Turakin Dawakin Misau, was among the Bauchi State contingent that travelled to Saudi Arabia for the 2026 Hajj exercise when he took ill and died.

The state government, in a statement signed by Governor Bala Mohammed’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mukhtar Gidado on Sunday, confirmed the incident and described the news as a moment of deep sorrow for the state.

“The Government and people of Bauchi State have received with deep sorrow the news of the death of Alhaji Shehu Yahaya Jalam (Turakin Dawakin Misau), the Permanent Secretary, Special Services, Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Bauchi, who passed away in the early hours of today in Makkah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, after a brief illness while participating in the 2026 Hajj exercise,” the statement said.

Gidado described the deceased as a committed public servant who gave his career to the service of the state.

“Until his death, Alhaji Shehu Yahaya Jalam was a dedicated, loyal, and hardworking public servant who devoted his life and energy to the service of Bauchi State.

“He played significant roles in the successful coordination of previous Hajj operations and other government assignments entrusted to him,” he said.

The spokesman said the loss was felt beyond the walls of government.

“His passing is a great loss not only to his family and colleagues but also to the entire Bauchi State Government and the wider community who benefited from his commitment, humility, and sense of duty,” Gidado said.

The funeral prayer for the deceased was conducted on Sunday after the Zuhr prayer at the Holy Mosque of the Ka’aba in Makkah.

Mohammed, on behalf of the government and people of Bauchi State, condoled with the deceased’s immediate family, the offices of the Secretary to the State Government and the Head of Civil Service, the Misau and Dambam Emirate Councils, friends, and associates.

The governor prayed that God would forgive the deceased’s shortcomings, grant him Aljannatul Firdaus, and give his family the strength and fortitude to bear the loss.

Ahead of 2027 Election a list of Senate aspirants that are not cleared has begun releasing outcomes of its screening exercise ahead of the 2027 primaries, with several aspirants reportedly failing to scale through the process in different states.

“According to reports monitored by Daily Voice NG, the APC is yet to officially release a comprehensive list of Senate aspirants not cleared ahead of the 2027 primaries, although screening controversies and alleged disqualifications have emerged in several states.

The development comes amid growing tensions, protests and allegations of imposition within the ruling party as aspirants await final confirmation of cleared candidates for Senate, House of Representatives and governorship races.

Reports indicate that controversies have already erupted in states including Rivers, Kano, Benue and Kaduna over disqualifications and screening outcomes.

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