Former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, on Tuesday evening arrived at the national secretariat of the Nigeria Democratic Congress in Abuja for the party’s presidential screening exercise ahead of the 2027 general election.

In the past few days, Obi, a presidential hopeful on the platform of the NDC, has been touted as the favourite to emerge as the party’s consensus candidate.

Despite denials from both the party leadership and Obi’s camp, the speculation gained traction after the NDC abruptly suspended the sale of presidential nomination forms while extending the sale of governorship, Senate and House of Representatives forms.

Obi’s SUV drove into the premises of the party secretariat in Abuja at about 6:45pm. Dressed in his trademark all-black kaftan and matching cap, the former Labour Party presidential candidate arrived about 20 minutes after the chairman of the screening committee, Senator Sam Egwu, entered the venue.

Obi was seen handing over his Expression of Interest and Nomination forms to one of his aides shortly after his arrival.

He was accompanied by the senator representing Anambra Central, Victor Umeh.

The development came barely 24 hours after the NDC appointed Egwu, a former governor of Ebonyi State and ex-lawmaker, as chairman of its screening committee for presidential, governorship, senatorial and House of Representatives aspirants ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The party disclosed this in a statement issued by its National Secretary, Barrister Ikenna Morgan Enekweizu, on Tuesday.

“The 17-member committee is scheduled to be inaugurated by 4pm on Tuesday, May 19, 2026,” the statement added.

Egwu will head the panel responsible for screening aspirants seeking elective offices on the platform of the NDC, while the party’s National Legal Adviser, Reuben Egwuaba, will serve as secretary of the committee.

Other members of the panel include Buba Galadima, Ikeddy Isiguzo, Wole Adedayo, Udenta Udenta, Henry Obaze and other party leaders and professionals selected to oversee the screening process for aspirants contesting various positions in the 2027 elections. (The PUNCH, but headline reworked)

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