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The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has constituted a 17-member Screening Committee for its presidential, governorship, senatorial and House of Representatives aspirants ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement issued by the party’s National Secretary, Ikenna Morgan Enekweizu, the committee was inaugurated on Tuesday.

Former two-term Governor of Ebonyi State and ex-Senator, Sam Egwu, was named chairman of the panel, while the party’s National Legal Adviser, Reuben Egwuaba, will serve as secretary.

According to the statement, the committee comprises party leaders, professionals and members of the party’s National Working Committee.

Other members of the panel include Comrade Babatunde Ali as deputy chairman, Buba Galadima, Hon. Mohammed Sani Takori, Daniel Onifade, Ikeddy Isiguzo, Wole Adedayo, Dr. Osusu Osusu, Chief Asukewe Ikoawaji, Prof. Udenta Udenta, Barr. Frederick Owotorufa, Hannatu Tanko, Dogo Shammar, Sir Henry Obaze, Clement Agiagie and Barr. Fatima Musa Abba.

The party said the committee would oversee the screening of aspirants seeking to contest elective offices on the platform of the NDC, including the presidency, governorships and seats in the National Assembly.

The development is part of the party’s ongoing preparations for the next electoral cycle as it intensifies internal processes aimed at strengthening its structures nationwide.

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Former Governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa has emerged as flag bearer of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the Delta North Senatorial district for the 2027 general election.

Okowa defeated the incumbent, Senator Ned Nwoko in the party’s direct primaries held in the various wards across the nine local government areas in the senators district.

Okowa won in by a wide margin in the primary election, polling 113, 309 while Nwoko got 2, 612 votes.

Delta State National Assembly Primary Election Committee of the Party, Eugene Odo said: “Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, having secured the highest number of votes of APC senatorial primaries in Delta North is hereby declared winner of the election”.

In Delta Central, the incumbent, Senator Ede Dafinone clinched the party’s senatorial ticket, defeating his in predecessor and former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege.

Dafinone polled a total of 116, 252 votes while Omo-Agege scored 3, 643.

The Secretary to the Delta State National Assembly Primary Election Committee of the Party, Barr. Nusa Amagbor who served as the retuning officer for the election, said: “Based on the authenticated results before me; Senator Ede Dafinone scored a total of 116,252 votes, his opponent scored a total of 3,643 votes.

“Having satisfied all the requirements of our great party and having secured the highest number of valid votes cast in this primary, Senator Ede Dafinone is hereby declared the winner of the Delta Central Senatorial District primary election.”

Meanwhile, Ned Nwoko’s support group has urged stakeholders to let the will of the people prevail in the primary to determine candidate of the party in Delta North Senatorial district.

In their call for fair play, Nwoko Campaign Group in a message, through Ekene Kerry, Director General, alleged state hijack of the Senate primary to block Nwoko’s reelection in favour of Senator Ifeanyi Okowa.

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Sunday Katung, Shehu Sani, and former Kaduna State Governor Ramalan Yero have emerged victorious in the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primaries held ahead of the 2027 general elections in Kaduna State.

Katung secured the APC ticket for Kaduna South after defeating former Senator Danjuma Tella Laah and Michael Ayuba Auta in the primary election conducted across the district’s eight local government areas.

Announcing the results at the collation centre in Jema’a Local Government Area on Monday, the Returning Officer, John Laah of the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, described the exercise as peaceful, transparent, and credible.

According to the results, Katung polled 7,453 votes, while Laah scored 1,370 votes, and Auta received 878 votes.

Laah said delegates from Kagarko, Sanga, Kauru, Zangon Kataf, Kaura, Jema’a, Jaba, and Kachia participated peacefully in the exercise. He also commended party officials, delegates, and security agencies for ensuring a smooth process.

In Kaduna Central, former lawmaker Sani clinched victory after polling 9,105 votes to defeat Yusuf Zailani, who secured 1,021 votes. Yerima Shettima, despite withdrawing from the race, garnered 1,253 votes.

Sani represented Kaduna Central in the Senate between 2015 and 2019 before losing the APC ticket in 2018 to the current Kaduna State governor, Uba Sani.

Reacting to his victory, Shehu Sani thanked President Bola Tinubu and Governor Sani for their support and confidence in his candidacy.

He also expressed appreciation to delegates and constituents for giving him another opportunity to seek representation of the district, while calling on party members and former aspirants to unite for the progress of the APC ahead of the general elections.

Meanwhile, former Kaduna State Governor Ramalan Mukhtar Yero emerged as the winner of the APC primary for Kaduna North.

Yero polled 6,060 votes to defeat Muazu Mukaddas, who scored 1,044 votes, and Engineer Bala Ikara, who secured 362 votes.

Despite the victories recorded by the three candidates, the conduct of the primaries sparked controversy, as a coalition of aggrieved aspirants led by Danjuma Laah protested the exercise, alleging irregularities and the imposition of consensus candidates during the APC senatorial and House of Representatives primaries.