By MELVIN KOFFA

INEC Publishes Candidates’ Credentials as 2027 Election Process Advances

Commission Complies with Electoral Act

THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has published the personal particulars, academic credentials and other supporting documents submitted by presidential candidates and their running mates for the 2027 general election, marking another milestone in preparations for the nationwide polls.

The documents were displayed at INEC offices across the country in accordance with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026, which requires the commission to make candidates’ records available for public scrutiny after receiving their nomination documents.

Although the credentials had not been uploaded to the commission’s website at the time of filing the report, their physical display allows political parties, civil society organisations, election observers and members of the public to examine the documents submitted by candidates before the elections.

Legal Requirement for Public Disclosure

INEC said the publication was carried out in compliance with Section 29(3) of the Electoral Act 2026.

The provision mandates the electoral commission to publish the personal particulars and supporting documents of candidates within 21 days of receiving them in the constituencies where they intend to contest elections.

The legal requirement is designed to promote transparency in Nigeria’s electoral process by enabling interested parties to scrutinise candidates’ qualifications, declarations and affidavits before the polls.

The publication also provides an opportunity for eligible persons to challenge any aspect of the documents through legally recognised procedures where necessary.

Tinubu Resubmits University Degree

Among the documents published were those submitted by President Bola Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The records show that President Tinubu again submitted his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration obtained from Chicago State University in 1979.

As was the case during the 2023 presidential election, the published documents did not include certificates relating to his primary and secondary education.

The records further indicate that he completed the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme between December 1982 and November 1983 before working with Mobil Nigeria Limited from 1983 until 1992, prior to entering partisan politics.

Atiku Presents Academic Progression

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who is contesting under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), submitted documents reflecting his educational journey from primary education through postgraduate studies.

The published records include his First School Leaving Certificate obtained in 1954, his West African School Certificate earned in 1961, and a Master of Arts degree in International Relations awarded in 2020.

The documents present a chronological record of his educational qualifications submitted to the electoral commission.

Obi Files Educational Credentials

The presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, also submitted documents detailing his educational background.

According to the records displayed by INEC, Obi attended Augustine’s Primary School before proceeding to Christ the King College, Onitsha.

The documents further show that he graduated from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, in 1984.

The publication forms part of the statutory disclosure process applicable to all presidential candidates participating in the election.

Political Parties Complete Candidate Submission

The publication follows the completion of party primaries conducted by political parties in line with INEC’s timetable for the 2027 general election.

Following the primaries, political parties uploaded the names of their presidential and vice-presidential candidates, governorship and deputy governorship candidates, as well as candidates for the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly through the commission’s nomination portal.

With the publication of candidates’ particulars now completed, attention is expected to shift towards public scrutiny of the submitted documents and the next phases of the electoral calendar ahead of the 2027 general election.