The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that it will publish the personal particulars, academic qualifications and other supporting documents submitted by candidates contesting the presidential, Senate and House of Representatives elections on Saturday, August 1, as part of preparations for the 2027 general election.
The exercise follows the Commission’s revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2027 polls, which earmarked August 1 for the public display of credentials and nomination documents submitted by candidates seeking election into the presidency and the National Assembly.
Among those whose documents 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), alongside candidates fielded by other political parties that successfully completed the nomination process.
The publication will also extend to all candidates contesting Senate and House of Representatives seats across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
INEC said the exercise is intended to strengthen transparency and accountability in the electoral process by allowing members of the public to examine the qualifications and information submitted by candidates before the elections.
The process is anchored on the provisions of Section 29(3) of the Electoral Act, 2026, which requires the Commission to publish the personal particulars of candidates within 21 days of receiving their nomination documents in the constituencies where they intend to contest.
The law further empowers Nigerians to challenge questionable submissions. Under Section 29(5) of the Electoral Act, any individual who believes that information contained in a candidate’s affidavit or supporting documents is false may approach the Federal High Court to seek a declaration on the authenticity of the information provided.
The publication of candidates’ particulars represents another key stage in INEC’s roadmap for the 2027 elections, coming after the completion of political party primaries and the submission of nomination forms.
According to the Commission’s revised election timetable, the next major activity will be the commencement of campaigns for the presidential and National Assembly elections on August 19, 2026. Campaigns for governorship and state House of Assembly elections will begin later in line with the schedule released by the electoral umpire.
