President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, has described the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, presidential candidate, Peter Obi as a “miracle centre presidential candidate.”

Bwala was reacting to Obi’s recent interview where he gave condition before agreeing to debate with the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi.

In an interview with media personality, Chude Jideonwo, Obi had said he would debate with Umahi when he qualifies as a presidential candidate of a political party.

He made the remark against the backdrop of the minister’s declaration that he was ready to debate with Obi over road infrastructure.

However, Bwala in a post on X, questioned how Obi emerged as presidential because he never went through the process of primary election.

Bwala wrote: “Peter Obi is telling Chude on his podcast that if H.E Dave Umah    wants to debate him, he should first qualify as a presidential candidate first.

“Funny; the Peter Obi @PeterObi how did he qualify to be a presidential candidate? Did he (Peter Obi) participate in any presidential primaries?

“In fact has he ever participated in any presidential primaries? Imagine a miracle centre presidential candidate questioning a successful governor and performing minister on qualifications.”

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has extended the deadline for political parties to submit the names of their candidates for the 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections, reversing its earlier stance that no further extension would be granted.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the commission announced that the submission deadline, which had expired on Saturday, July 11, has been moved by three days to midnight on Tuesday, July 14, 2026.

INEC had previously maintained that the deadline would remain unchanged despite concerns raised by several political parties over technical challenges encountered while uploading candidates’ details through its nomination portal.

According to the commission, the decision to grant an extension followed an appeal by the Inter-Party Advisory Council, IPAC, which requested additional time on behalf of the affected political parties.

The announcement was contained in a statement signed by the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna.

“The Independent National Electoral Commission has approved the extension of the deadline for submission of lists of candidates for the 2027 Presidential and National Assembly Elections by political parties,” the statement read.

INEC confirmed that the revised timetable has shifted the deadline from Saturday, July 11, to midnight on Tuesday, July 14, 2026.

“The deadline for submission in the Revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2027 General Election, being Saturday 11th July 2026, has been extended to midnight on Tuesday 14th July 2026,” the commission stated.

The electoral body explained that the extension was granted to encourage wider participation while ensuring compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act.

“The extension underscores the commission’s commitment to ensuring inclusivity in its practices while acting within the ambit of the law,” it said.

INEC urged all political parties to make effective use of the additional three-day window to complete the upload of their candidates’ names and personal particulars before the new deadline expires.

“The commission enjoins political parties to take advantage of this window of opportunity and ensure that all necessary details are uploaded before the expiration of the new deadline,” the statement added.

The Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, presidential candidate, Peter Obi, says if he were Nigerian president he would do everything possible to make opposition parties strong and participatory in governance.

Obi made this known during an interview with media entrepreneur, Chude Jideonwo, aired on Saturday.

According to him, what the politicians and political parties should be doing now to bring the country and other ideas together to work for the interest of the citizens.

When asked if president Bola Tinubu believes his own party is the strongest party to rescue the country, Obi said no one party has a monopoly on ideas that make society work.

“If I’m the president of this country, I will do everything possible to make opposition parties strong and participatory in governance.

“The more you bring everybody together, the more we discuss it, the more we consult, the better result,” he said.

Recall that Obi was among those that formed the opposition coalition under the umbrella of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, in July 2025, and officially joined it on December 31, 2025.

However, in May 2026, the former Anambra state governor left the ADC for the NDC, citing internal divisions and court cases.