2026 Elections: NDC Unveils Powerful 20-Member Committee to Screen Governorship, NASS Aspirants

The Nigeria Democratic Congress has constituted a 20-member National Selection Committee to supervise the screening and selection of aspirants seeking the party’s governorship and National Assembly tickets ahead of the 2026 general elections.

The development was announced on Friday in Abuja through a statement issued by the party’s National Secretary, Ikenna Enekweizu.

According to Enekweizu, the committee was approved by the party’s National Leader following recommendations submitted by the National Working Committee as part of ongoing preparations for the party’s primaries and internal electoral process.

He explained that the committee would play a crucial role in reviewing the credentials, eligibility, and screening reports of all aspirants seeking to contest under the platform of the Nigeria Democratic Congress. He noted that the panel had been empowered to scrutinise the recommendations of the National Screening Committee and make final decisions regarding the clearance of aspirants.

“The committee is mandated to review, scrutinise, and consider the reports and recommendations of the National Screening Committee, and to take appropriate decisions on the screening outcomes of all aspirants,” Enekweizu stated.

He added that the arrangement was carefully designed to strengthen internal democracy within the party while promoting consensus-building among aspirants in order to minimise unnecessary disputes and political divisions ahead of the elections.

According to him, the party aims to ensure the emergence of candidates who are broadly accepted by stakeholders and party members through what he described as a transparent, fair, and credible process.

The party named Moses Cleopas as chairman of the committee, while Enekweizu will serve as secretary.

Other members of the committee include Babatunde Ali, Sidi Bomi, Mohammed Zuwo, Danlami Arabs, Fredrick Owotorufa, Teddy Obey, Barnabas J. Ejisi, Adedayo Ekong, Yunusa Tanko, Moses Paul, Buba Galadima, Aminu Abdulsalam, Danladi Abdulhamid, Udenta Udenta, Reuben Egwuaba, Dudu Manuga, Grace Onyekusiobi and Shittu Mohammed.

The NDC further disclosed that only aspirants who successfully pass through the screening stage and secure clearance from the National Selection Committee would be eligible to purchase the party’s nomination forms.

Party officials said the move is intended to prevent crises often associated with candidate selection processes while ensuring that only qualified and credible aspirants participate in the primaries.

Enekweizu also stressed that the party would continue to prioritise consensus arrangements among aspirants as a means of strengthening unity and avoiding rancour within its ranks. However, he noted that where consensus efforts fail to produce an agreement among contestants, the party would conduct direct primaries in accordance with its electoral guidelines.

He revealed that the direct primaries are scheduled to hold between May 28 and May 30, adding that the process would be monitored to ensure transparency and fairness.

The statement reiterated the party’s commitment to conducting a free, fair, and credible candidate selection exercise capable of producing widely accepted flag bearers ahead of the 2026 elections.