By Imisioluwa Afunmiso
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 2026 elections.
The party, in a statement signed by its National Secretary, Ikenna Morgan Enekweizu, said the deadline earlier fixed for 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 17, 2026, has now been extended to 12:00 midnight on Sunday, May 24, 2026.
According to the statement, the extension affects aspirants contesting for State Houses of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate and Governorship positions.
The party, however, noted that the collection of Expression of Interest Forms for the Office of the President has officially closed disclosing that screening of aspirants who have purchased and completed the forms will commence on Tuesday, May 19, and end on Tuesday, May 26, 2026 further adding that the collection and return of Nomination Forms for screened and cleared aspirants will begin on Wednesday, May 20, and close on Tuesday, May 26, 2026.
The party urged all aspirants to comply strictly with the new deadline, stressing that no further extension would be granted after the closing date.
The statement further directed aspirants to appear for screening and pre-qualification interviews at designated venues nationwide with relevant documents, including educational certificates, birth certificate or declaration of age, four recent passport photographs, voter’s identification card, NDC membership card and copies of curriculum vitae.
According to the party, all documents submitted to the Screening Committee must be provided in six copies each.
NDC stated that the screening exercise would be based on factors such as the wishes of the electorate, local peculiarities, competence and capacity of aspirants, as well as character.
The party also urged the Screening Committee to take into consideration its affirmative action policy for women, youths and persons living with disabilities.
It further encouraged aspirants to pursue consensus-building, noting that only aspirants cleared by the screening committee would be eligible to purchase Nomination Forms.