The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has published the provisional list of presidential candidates nominated by political parties for the 2027 general election, inviting Nigerians to examine the credentials and supporting documents submitted by the nominees ahead of the release of the final list.
The provisional list contains 19 presidential candidates, including President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the Africa Democratic Congress (ADC) and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
Also featured are their respective running mates Vice President Kashim Shettima, former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi and former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
Other presidential candidates on the list are Sandy Onor (PDP); Omoyele Sowore (AAC); Donald Duke (PRP); Okwori Ada Elizabeth Frederick (NDP); Chukwu Anita Zugwai (YPP); Rufai Adekunle Omoaje (AA); Adenuga Sunday (Boot Party); Memeh Samuel (DLA); Nwanyanwu Daniel Danerechukwu (ZLP); Okereke Sunday Chibuzor (LP); Okereke Iken Esther (NRM); Abbas-Bin Aliyu (ADP); Dikwa Suleiman Mohammed (NNPP); Adebayo Adewole Ebenezer (SDP); Seyi Makinde (APM); and Yusuf Kabiru (APP).
INEC also displayed the documents submitted by each nominee, including academic qualifications, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificates, sworn affidavits and employment records, on its candidates’ nomination portal and at its offices nationwide. The exercise is intended to allow members of the public to scrutinise the credentials of all nominees before the publication of the final list.
According to the submitted documents, President Bola Tinubu presented a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Chicago State University, listed March 29, 1952, as his date of birth and stated that he worked at Mobil Nigeria Limited before serving as Governor of Lagos State and later President. He also declared that he had never been dismissed from public service.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar submitted a Master’s degree in International Relations from Anglia Ruskin University in the United Kingdom and indicated that he resigned from the Nigeria Customs Service in 1989.
Peter Obi stated that he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, after completing his secondary education at Christ the King College, Onitsha.
Other academic credentials submitted include Donald Duke’s qualification from Ahmadu Bello University and Omoyele Sowore’s Master’s degree in Public Administration from Columbia University, New York.
INEC said the publication complies with Section 29(3) of the Electoral Act 2026, which requires candidates’ particulars to be displayed within 21 days of submission to enable members of the public to file claims or objections where necessary.
The commission noted that political parties are permitted to withdraw or substitute candidates before the statutory deadline.
The Administrative Secretary of INEC in the Federal Capital Territory, Mrs. Bimbo Oladunjoye, described the public display as an important transparency measure designed to promote accountability and strengthen public confidence in the electoral process.
She urged citizens, civil society organisations, political parties and the media to carefully examine the submitted information, assuring that the commission would continue implementing every stage of the election timetable in line with the Constitution, the Electoral Act 2026 and its regulations.
INEC also clarified that the published document is only a provisional list and not the final register of candidates.
According to the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Adedayo Oketola, political parties have until August 22, 2026, to make lawful substitutions or withdrawals, while the final list of presidential and National Assembly candidates will be released on September 12, 2026.
Meanwhile, candidates nominated by the Tanimu Turaki faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), including former President Goodluck Jonathan, were not included in the provisional list.
The faction said it expected the omission and is pursuing an appeal in court, while leaders of the recognised PDP leadership maintained that only the officially submitted list has legal recognition before INEC.
