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Abuja — Former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi has formally received clearance to contest the 2027 presidential election, after a marathon screening session by his party’s committee in Abuja on Monday, even as the opposition Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) simultaneously announced him as its unopposed candidate with former Kano Governor Musa Kwankwaso as his likely running mate.

Obi, who appeared before a screening panel led by former Governor Sam Egwu, underwent over two and a half hours of rigorous scrutiny, during which party officials examined all his documents, including his degree certificates, NYSC credentials, and age declarations. He also fielded questions on his vision for a “New Nigeria” and the leadership the nation urgently needs.

“Following this, I was cleared and received the presidential nomination form I had previously paid for,” Obi said in a statement. He commended the committee for their “thorough and professional approach” and thanked party leadership for upholding the democratic process. “A New Nigeria is POssible,” he added.

The development came as SaharaReporters learned that Obi and Kwankwaso formally aligned with the NDC earlier this month on the understanding that they would contest the 2027 election on a joint ticket — Obi as presidential candidate and Kwankwaso as vice-president. The NDC made the announcement via its official social media platforms days ago.

In a radio interview over the weekend, Kwankwaso expressed confidence he would secure the vice-presidential slot, arguing that such a move would eventually pave the way for Kano State to produce Nigeria’s president. “Since the First Republic, despite our struggles and political wisdom, Kano has never produced a vice president. This is both disappointing and deeply saddening, but by God’s grace, it will be corrected,” Kwankwaso said.

Political stakeholders noted that if Obi wins in 2027 and serves two terms, Kwankwaso could be positioned as a leading northern contender to succeed him in 2031, a prospect that reshapes calculations around Nigeria’s informal power rotation principle, which many argue should keep the presidency in the south until 2031.