By Mandy Park
The Nigeria Democratic Congress has constituted a National Selection Committee to oversee the screening and selection of aspirants for its forthcoming governorship and National Assembly primaries.
The party disclosed this in a statement signed by its National Secretary, Ikenna Morgan Enekweizu, saying the move was part of efforts to strengthen transparency, internal democracy and credibility in its candidate selection process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to the statement, the committee was approved by the party’s National Leader following recommendations by the National Working Committee (NWC) as preparations intensify for the primaries.
The committee is expected to review and scrutinize reports submitted by the National Screening Committee and take final decisions on the eligibility and screening outcomes of all aspirants seeking the party’s tickets.
Former senator, Cleopas Moses Zuwoghe, was named chairman of the 20-member committee, while Barrister Enekweizu will serve as secretary.
Other members of the committee include Babatunde Ali, Mohammed Bakin Zuwo, Fredrick E. Owotorufa, Teddy Obey, Barnabas J. Ejisi, Adedayo Ekong, Yenusa Tanko, Buba Galadima and Udenta Udenta, among others.
The party appealed to aspirants, stakeholders and members to cooperate with the committee, noting that the exercise would be conducted within a limited timeframe.
It explained that the process was designed to encourage consensus-building and ensure the emergence of candidates widely accepted by party members through what it described as a free, fair and credible mechanism.
The NDC further stated that only aspirants screened and cleared by the National Screening Committee and subsequently approved by the National Selection Committee would be eligible to purchase nomination forms.
The party added that where consensus arrangements fail, direct primaries would be conducted between May 28 and May 30, 2026, in line with the party’s electoral guidelines and internal regulations.3
According to the statement, the National Selection Committee will be formally inaugurated on May 25, 2026, after which it is expected to commence deliberations immediately.
The development comes as political parties across Nigeria begin internal consultations, screening exercises and strategic alignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, with emphasis increasingly being placed on transparent primaries and credible candidate emergence processes.
