Peter Obi confirmed as NDC Presidential candidate for 2027, picks Kwankwaso as running mate

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has formally ratified former Anambra State governor Peter Obi as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.

This followed Obi’s emergence as the sole aspirant for the NDC presidential ticket in the primary election held on Friday, May 29, 2026.

The ratification took place at a special convention for the affirmation of the party’s presidential candidate in Abuja.

The motion to affirm Obi’s candidacy was moved by the Senator representing Anambra Central senatorial district, Victor Umeh, and seconded by a former Deputy President of the Senate, Ovie Omo-Agege.

Thereafter, the NDC National Leader and former governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Seriake Dickson, and the party’s national chairman, Senator Cleopas Moses Zuwoghe, presented the party’s flag to Obi.

Meanwhile, there was mild drama during the convention following the initial absence of officials from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). NDC officials called on a chieftain of the party and veteran politician, Buba Galadima, to anchor that segment of the programme. However, when he mounted the rostrum and representatives of INEC were invited to take over the seats designated for them to observe the process, none turned up. After repeated calls without response, it became clear that the INEC officials were absent.

While some suggested the affirmation should go on and INEC officials join later, Galadima and others insisted that representatives of the umpire must be present before the exercise. The INEC officials later arrived at the venue, and the party went ahead to affirm Obi.

Shortly after his affirmation, Obi delivered his acceptance speech, in which he announced former governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso, as his running mate for the 2027 elections.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled:  Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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