Isaac Samuel
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Saturday published the personal particulars, academic credentials and other supporting documents submitted by candidates for the January 16, 2027 presidential election, opening the statutory period for public scrutiny of their qualifications.
The publication, carried out at the Commission’s headquarters and across its state and Area Council offices nationwide in compliance with Section 29(3) of the Electoral Act, 2026, makes available the Form EC9 and accompanying documents submitted by candidates seeking elective offices.
Among the documents displayed are those of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Peter Gregory Obi of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), their respective running mates and candidates for the National Assembly.
The documents contain each candidate’s personal particulars, educational qualifications, work history, occupation, sworn affidavits and other supporting certificates submitted to the Commission as part of the nomination process.
The publication also activates the legal window for members of the public to examine the documents and institute court action where they have credible evidence that any information supplied by a candidate is false.
Representing the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) during the commencement of the exercise in Abuja, the Administrative Secretary, Bimbo Oladunjoye, said the display was a statutory requirement intended to promote transparency, accountability and public confidence in the electoral process.
She explained that the exercise covers the personal particulars, affidavits and supporting documents of presidential candidates as well as National Assembly candidates contesting elections in the FCT, adding that similar displays were taking place simultaneously in all six Area Council offices and INEC offices across the country.
According to her, the Commission is committed to implementing every stage of the electoral process in line with the Constitution, the Electoral Act, 2026, and its regulations and guidelines.
She urged citizens, political parties, civil society organisations, the media and other stakeholders to take advantage of the exercise by carefully scrutinising the information submitted by candidates.
“The Commission is on course with its preparations for the 2027 General Election and will continue to carry out every stage of the electoral process in accordance with the Constitution, the Electoral Act, 2026, and the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines,” she said.
Section 33 of the Electoral Act provides that any person who has reasonable grounds to believe that any information contained in a candidate’s affidavit or other documents submitted to the Commission is false may file an action before the Federal High Court challenging the validity of the declaration.
The publication of the candidates’ particulars is one of the key milestones in INEC’s timetable for the 2027 general election and is intended to strengthen transparency by enabling public verification of the qualifications and declarations made by candidates before the commencement of election campaigns.
