Former Anambra State governor Peter Obi has clarified that the Nigeria Democratic Congress has not officially declared him its sole presidential candidate for the 2027 general election despite reports circulating online.
Obi made the clarification after completing the party’s presidential screening exercise in Abuja on Tuesday.
According to a statement issued by Ibrahim Umar, spokesperson of the Peter Obi Media Reach (POMR), the former Labour Party presidential candidate said reports suggesting he had already emerged as the party’s only aspirant were premature.
“I don’t know if anyone else has submitted an application. Until the party officially names me as the only candidate, that remains to be seen,” Obi said.
The former governor also spoke about some of the major priorities he would focus on if elected president, particularly insecurity, hunger, and governance.
“We want mothers to feel safe when their children head to school or work. We envision a Nigeria where travel throughout the country can be done without fear,” he stated.
“Many Nigerians currently go to sleep uncertain about their next meal, and this situation must be transformed.”
Obi further criticised the political class for concentrating too heavily on elections while citizens continue facing hardship across the country.
“Politicians are too focused on upcoming elections while the citizens are suffering. This has to change,” he added.
Chairman of the NDC national screening committee, Sam Egwu, later confirmed Obi’s clearance to contest the party’s presidential primary.
In a video shared on the party’s official X account, Egwu said the committee was satisfied that Obi fulfilled all constitutional and statutory requirements needed to contest.
According to him, the screening committee thoroughly reviewed Obi’s credentials and responses before granting clearance.
Obi also revealed that the screening process lasted more than 2.5 hours and included questions about his educational background, credentials, and plans for Nigeria.
“Yesterday, May 19, in Abuja, I attended the presidential screening organised by our party, which took over two and a half hours,” he wrote on X.
“They carefully reviewed all my documents, including my degree certificates, NYSC credentials, and age declarations.”
He added that he discussed his vision for a “new Nigeria” during the process before receiving his presidential nomination form.
The former presidential candidate also praised the screening committee and party leadership for conducting what he described as a transparent and democratic exercise ahead of the 2027 elections.
