NDC Extends Deadlines for Collection of Expression of Interest Forms Till May 24

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja

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

The extension affects aspirants contesting for seats in the State Houses of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, and governorship positions.

In a statement signed on Sunday by the party’s National Secretary, Ikenna Morgan Enekweizu, the NDC announced that the earlier deadline scheduled to end at 6 p.m. on May 17, 2026, has now been shifted to midnight on May 24, 2026.

The party said the decision was taken to provide additional opportunity for interested aspirants to complete the process and comply with all requirements.

According to the statement, screening of aspirants who have purchased and completed their Expression of Interest Forms will commence on May 19 and end on May 26, 2026.

The NDC also disclosed that the collection and submission of Nomination Forms for aspirants who successfully scale the screening process will begin on May 20 and close on May 26.

“All aspirants are required to ensure strict compliance with the deadline, as no extension will be granted beyond the closing date,” the statement said.

The party, however, announced that the collection of Expression of Interest Forms for the office of the President has officially closed.

The statement urged aspirants to appear for screening and pre-qualification interviews at designated venues across the country with all required documents, including educational certificates, birth certificates or declarations of age, voter identification cards, membership cards, curriculum vitae, and recent passport photographs.

According to the guidelines released by the party, all documents to be submitted before the screening committee must be provided in six copies each.

The NDC said screening would be based on several factors, including the wishes of the electorate, local political considerations, competence, capacity, and the character of aspirants.

It added that the screening committee had also been directed to take into consideration the party’s affirmative action policy for women, youths, and persons living with disabilities.

The party further encouraged aspirants to embrace consensus-building arrangements where necessary, noting that only aspirants cleared through the screening process would qualify to purchase Nomination Forms.

Enekweizu advised all aspirants to strictly comply with the approved guidelines and timelines to avoid disqualification from the process.

The extension is expected to give the party more time to accommodate aspirants across the states as political activities ahead of the 2027 elections continue to gather momentum.