The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will on Saturday publish the personal particulars, academic credentials and other documents submitted by candidates contesting the offices of President, Senate and House of Representatives in the 2027 general election.
The exercise marks another major step in preparations for the 2027 polls and is expected to give Nigerians the opportunity to examine the documents submitted by those seeking elective offices before campaigns officially begin later this month.
Among the presidential candidates whose credentials will be displayed are President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), as well as candidates of other political parties that successfully submitted their nomination forms to the electoral body.
INEC said the publication is in line with its revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2027 General Election, which fixed August 1 for the display of the personal particulars of candidates contesting the presidential and National Assembly elections.
The exercise will not be limited to the presidential race. It will also cover all candidates contesting Senate and House of Representatives seats across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory.
By making the documents available for public inspection, the electoral commission aims to strengthen transparency and public confidence in the electoral process while allowing Nigerians to verify the qualifications of those seeking public office.
The publication of candidates’ particulars is a legal requirement under Nigeria’s Electoral Act and has become a standard stage in the country’s electoral process.
According to Section 29(3) of the Electoral Act, 2026, the commission is required to publish the personal particulars of every candidate within 21 days of receiving them.
The section states: “The Commission shall, within 21 days of the receipt of the personal particulars of the candidate, publish same in the constituency where the candidate intends to contest the election.”
The law is intended to ensure that the nomination process is open and transparent and that members of the public have the opportunity to review the information supplied by candidates before elections are held.
The Electoral Act also gives citizens the right to challenge any information they believe is false.
Section 29(5) of the Act provides that any person who has reasonable grounds to believe that a candidate submitted false information or documents may approach the Federal High Court to seek a declaration that the information contained in the candidate’s affidavit or other documents is false.
Legal experts say this provision is an important safeguard against the submission of forged certificates, false declarations or misleading personal information by political office seekers.
In previous election cycles, the publication of candidates’ credentials has led to several court cases, with individuals and political opponents challenging the educational qualifications, age declarations and other information submitted by some candidates.
Although many of such cases were dismissed for lack of sufficient evidence, others resulted in prolonged legal battles that continued even after elections had been concluded.
For this reason, INEC has consistently encouraged Nigerians to carefully examine the published documents and use the legal process where they have credible evidence of false declarations.
President Tinubu is seeking another term in office after winning the 2023 presidential election and completing his first term. His administration has defended its economic reforms and security policies while promising to build on ongoing infrastructure and development projects.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who is contesting on the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), is making another bid for Nigeria’s highest office after contesting several previous presidential elections.
Peter Obi, the former governor of Anambra State, is contesting under the National Democratic Congress (NDC) after emerging as one of the country’s leading opposition figures in recent years.
Besides the presidential contest, thousands of candidates seeking election into the Senate and House of Representatives will also have their credentials displayed in their respective constituencies.
The publication will enable voters to know more about those seeking to represent them at the National Assembly and allow interested individuals to verify the information submitted by the candidates.
The publication also represents another important milestone in INEC’s election timetable.
With party primaries concluded and political parties having submitted their nomination forms, attention is now shifting to the campaign season and other activities leading to the 2027 general election.
According to the revised timetable released by the commission, electioneering campaigns for presidential, Senate and House of Representatives candidates will officially commence on August 19, 2026.
Campaigns for governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections will begin later in line with the commission’s schedule.
Political parties are expected to use the campaign period to present their programmes, manifestoes and candidates to voters across the country.
INEC has repeatedly reminded political parties and candidates to conduct their campaigns peacefully and in accordance with the Electoral Act and campaign regulations.
The commission has also pledged to continue implementing its timetable as scheduled to ensure adequate preparation for the elections.
With less than a year to the 2027 general election, the publication of candidates’ personal particulars is expected to be followed closely by political parties, civil society groups, election observers and members of the public.
Many Nigerians are also expected to visit designated INEC offices in various constituencies to inspect the documents, especially those of prominent candidates seeking the nation’s highest offices.