2027: Battle For Tinubu’s Seat Heats Up

Leading the race, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has announced the conclusion of the screening exercise for presidential aspirants on the platform of the African Democratic Congress ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Atiku disclosed this in a brief statement issued after the exercise held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja, declaring that efforts to reposition the country were gaining momentum.

“I have concluded the screening exercise for ADC presidential aspirants at the Transcorp Hotel, Abuja, ahead of the forthcoming 2027 general elections. Together, the journey to rescue our country continues,” he stated.

The development comes amid growing political realignments and consultations within opposition circles as parties intensify preparations for the 2027 polls.

The screening exercise is seen as a critical step in the ADC’s efforts to strengthen its internal processes and present formidable contenders ahead of what is expected to be a fiercely contested presidential race.

Political observers say Atiku’s latest move signals continued determination by opposition figures to build momentum against the ruling establishment as the battle for 2027 gradually gathers steam in the nation’s capital.

On his part, former Anambra State governor Peter Obi has been cleared by the Nigeria Democratic Congress to contest its presidential primary ahead of the 2027 general election.

The party’s screening committee chairman, Sam Egwu, announced Obi’s clearance on Wednesday in a video post on X, saying he met all constitutional and statutory requirements to participate in the primary.

In the video, Mr Egwu said the committee screened Mr Obi and was satisfied with the responses at his committee sitting.

“This is to certify that, following the screening of the presidential aspirant of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), His Excellency Peter Obi, and having satisfied and complied with all the requirements of the constitution of the party, the Electoral Act, and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended, dealing with eligibility to contest the presidential election, and given the satisfactory answers given by him to all questions by members of the committee, he is hereby cleared to contest in the presidential primaries of the party for the 2027 presidential election on dates to be announced by the party,” he said.

Reacting via his official X account on Wednesday, Mr Obi said the screening, which included the review of his academic credentials, lasted more than two hours.

“During the process, I also addressed questions regarding my vision for a new Nigeria and the type of leadership our nation urgently needs right now,” he wrote.

He commended the screening committee for their thorough and professional approach and the party leadership for upholding the democratic process.

In a dramatic turn of event, a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, has announced that it has cleared former President Goodluck Jonathan as its sole presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to the PDP National Working Committee, on Tuesday, it granted Jonathan a waiver to contest, officially announcing his candidacy.

“The party had given him a waiver. In other words, he has been declared and cleared as a candidate of the PDP for the presidential election. And that is President Jonathan.

“So our committee is on. Any time the other people within the screening period come, we will continue the screening exercise and passing people. 

“We are very happy that even those who have been attempting to kill the party cannot succeed.

“And the party will contest this election by the grace of God and by the constitution of Nigeria” he said.