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Jonathan’s particulars not seen
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N/Assembly candidates’ names also on display
By Lateef Ibrahim Abuja
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has begun the nationwide publication of the personal particulars of candidates nominated by their political parties for the 2027 Presidential and National Assembly elections.
The publication, which commenced on Saturday, is in compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026.
Prominent among those whose details were already displayed are; President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Mr Peter Obi of the National Democratic Congress, NDC, and Prince Adewole Adebayo of the Social Democratic Party, SDP.
However, the personal details of former President and presidential candidate of a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dr Good luck Jonathan could not be seen on display.
Names of presidential candidates nominated by their political parties for the 2027 general election were also on display.
The display exercise, which took place simultaneously across the various states in the country, was conducted at INEC state headquarters and it’s constituency offices.
The display is to enable members of the public to inspect the credentials, affidavits and other personal documents submitted by the candidates.
At the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the publication was carried out at the Commission’s headquarters and across the six Area Council offices, in line with the Commission’s Revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2027 General Election.
The Administrative Secretary of INEC in the FCT, Mrs. Bimbo Oladunjoye, who represented the Resident Electoral Commissioner, while speaking during the display exercise, explained that the publication of candidates’ particulars is a statutory obligation under Section 29(3) of the Electoral Act, 2026.
Oladunjoye pointed out that the law requires the Commission to display the personal particulars, affidavits, academic credentials and other relevant documents submitted by candidates in the constituencies where they seek election, thereby allowing members of the public to scrutinise the information.
According to her, the display covers the particulars of presidential candidates as well as National Assembly candidates contesting elections in the Federal Capital Territory, while similar exercises are being conducted simultaneously in all INEC offices nationwide.
Making the documents publicly available, she further explained, is an integral part of the electoral process as it promotes transparency, accountability and public confidence in elections.
The Administrative Secretary urged citizens, political parties, civil society organisations, election observers, the media and other stakeholders to take advantage of the opportunity to carefully examine the information displayed and raise any concerns through the channels provided by law.
She reiterated the Commission’s commitment to conducting every stage of the electoral process strictly in accordance with the Constitution, the Electoral Act, 2026, and INEC’s Regulations and Guidelines.
In her words, “The Commission is on course with its preparations for the 2027 General Elections 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,”.
The Prof Joash Amupitan-chaired
INEC reaffirmed its determination to conduct free, fair, credible and transparent elections, calling on all stakeholders to continue supporting the Commission in delivering a successful electoral process.
The Saturday’s publication of candidates’ particulars forms part of the legal safeguards built into Nigeria’s electoral system to promote openness and accountability.
It enables voters, political parties and interested members of the public to verify the credentials and personal information submitted by candidates before the Commission publishes the final list of nominated candidates.
Under the Electoral Act, 2026, the documents currently on display do not constitute the final list of candidates, as political parties still have until August 22, 2026, to withdraw or replace nominated candidates where necessary.
The electoral umpire is expected to publish the final list of candidates for the Presidential and National Assembly elections on September 12, 2026, ahead of the 2027 general election.
The personal particulars and academic credentials submitted by President Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election revealed that he listed only his university qualification in the educational qualifications section of his EC9 nomination form, leaving the spaces provided for his primary and secondary school qualifications blank.
The commission also published documents of the Vice Presidential candidates of the political parties.
President listed a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Business Administration obtained from Chicago State University, United States, in 1979.
He attached copies of his Bachelor of Science degree certificate and his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate as part of the supporting documents accompanying his nomination papers.
Peter Obi, in the document submitted to INEC, described himself as a “public servant”.
The documents showed his complete educational history from primary school to university.
He indicated his date of birth as July 19, 1961, in Onitsha, Anambra State.
His records showed that he attended St. Augustine’s Primary School, Anambra, where he completed his primary education in 1973, Christ the King College (CKC), Onitsha, where he obtained the West African School Certificate (WASC) in 1978 and proceeded University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Philosophy in 1984.
Obi also attached his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate, indicating that he completed the mandatory national service between May 1985 and March 1986.
Former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar stated that he was born on November 25, 1946, in Jada, Adamawa State, and listed his occupation as “Businessman.”
Atiku listed his educational qualifications beginning with the First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC) obtained in 1954, the West African School Certificate (WASC) obtained in 1961, and a Master of Arts (M.A.) in International Relations, which he indicated was obtained in 2020.
He stated that he served in the Nigerian Customs Service from 1969 to 1989, before he voluntary retirement.
The presidential election is scheduled for January 16, 2027.
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