INEC Releases Details of Tinubu, Atiku, Obi, 16 Others

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released the tentative list of presidential nominees submitted by political parties for the 2027 general election, with President Bola Tinubu, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi among the 19 aspirants whose names were published.

The electoral body also displayed the names of the vice-presidential nominees and the personal documents submitted by each candidate to allow Nigerians to examine their credentials before the publication of the final list.

President Tinubu was nominated by the All Progressives Congress (APC), Atiku Abubakar emerged as the candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), while Peter Obi secured the presidential ticket of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

Other presidential nominees on the provisional list include Sandy Onor of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Omoyele Sowore of the African Action Congress (AAC), Donald Duke of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Okwori Ada Elizabeth Frederick of the National Democratic Party (NDP), Chukwu Anita Zugwai of the Young Progressives Party (YPP), Rufai Adekunle Omoaje of the Action Alliance (AA), Adenuga Sunday of the Boot Party, Memeh Samuel of the Democratic Liberation Alliance (DLA), Nwanyanwu Daniel Danerechukwu of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Okereke Sunday Chibuzor of the Labour Party (LP), Okereke Iken Esther of the National Rescue Movement (NRM), Abbas-Bin Aliyu of the Action Democratic Party (ADP), Dikwa Suleiman Mohammed of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Adebayo Adewole Ebenezer of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Seyi Makinde of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) and Yusuf Kabiru of the All Progressives Party (APP).

The commission also published the names of the vice-presidential nominees. They include Kashim Shettima for the APC, former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi for the ADC, former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso for the NDC, Umaru Babangida for the PDP, Shehu Hussaini for the AA, Egbeola Olawale Mertins for the YPP, Ike Chinazam for the ADP, Mustapha Usman Turaki for the Boot Party, Balogun Alex for the DLA, Chikwuemeka Uchenna Anthony for the NDP, Magashi Haruna Garba for the AAC, Konto Hajja Bintu for the Labour Party, Hassan Khalid for the ZLP, Samuel Magdalene Gali for the NRM, Abubakar Isah for the NNPP, Buba Musa for the PRP, Bugaje Usman Mohammed for the SDP, Ibrahim Adamu Bala for the APM and Ofordile Peace Egobia for the APP.

Missing from the published list were former President Goodluck Jonathan, whose name was submitted by the Tanimu Turaki-led faction of the PDP, and Gbenga Olawepo Hashim, who claimed to be the Accord Party’s presidential candidate. The Accord Party had earlier announced that it would not field a presidential candidate after failing to complete the nomination process before the deadline.

INEC uploaded the names and accompanying documents to its candidates’ nomination portal while also displaying them at its offices nationwide. The documents available for public inspection include academic certificates, National Youth Service Corps certificates, sworn affidavits and records of work experience.

President Tinubu submitted a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Chicago State University in the United States. According to the documents, he stated that he was born on March 29, 1952, in Lagos and worked for Mobil Nigeria Limited between 1983 and 1992 before becoming Governor of Lagos State from 1999 to 2007. His affidavit listed the Federal Government of Nigeria as his current employer and stated that he had never been dismissed from public service.

Atiku Abubakar submitted a Master’s degree in International Relations obtained from Anglia Ruskin University in the United Kingdom. He also indicated that he served in the Nigeria Customs Service until his resignation in 1989 and declared his age as 79.

Peter Obi stated in his documents that he was born on July 19, 1961, in Onitsha. He submitted a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, obtained in 1984, alongside his West African School Certificate earned at Christ the King College, Onitsha, in 1978.

Donald Duke submitted a Bachelor of Law degree from Ahmadu Bello University, while Omoyele Sowore presented a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Columbia University in New York.

INEC explained that the publication of the names and documents complies with Section 29(3) of the Electoral Act 2026, which requires the commission to display candidates’ particulars within 21 days after political parties submit their nominations.

The law allows members of the public to examine the information and raise objections where necessary before the final list is released.

The commission’s Administrative Secretary in the Federal Capital Territory, Mrs. Bimbo Oladunjoye, described the public display as part of efforts to promote openness and public participation in the electoral process. She encouraged political parties, civil society organisations, the media and other Nigerians to carefully review the documents made available.

She added that INEC remains committed to conducting the 2027 general election in line with the Constitution, the Electoral Act 2026 and its approved timetable.

The commission also confirmed that the names and documents of senatorial and House of Representatives candidates have been displayed at the appropriate constituency offices across the country.

In Ogun State, the name of Senator Shuaib Salisu appeared as the APC candidate for Ogun Central Senatorial District, ending speculation that he had been replaced by former Governor Ibikunle Amosun.

INEC said political parties have until August 22, 2026, to withdraw or replace candidates where necessary, while the final list of presidential and National Assembly candidates will be published on September 12, 2026.

Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Adedayo Oketola, explained that the published names should not be regarded as the final list because the Electoral Act still permits withdrawals and substitutions before the stipulated deadline.

Meanwhile, many Nigerians, political stakeholders, journalists and civil society organisations have continued visiting INEC’s headquarters in Abuja to inspect the displayed documents.

Reacting to the publication, the Tanimu Turaki-led PDP faction said it had anticipated the exclusion of its candidates and disclosed that it had already approached the court to challenge earlier rulings.

On the other hand, the PDP leadership recognised by INEC dismissed the parallel submissions, insisting that only the list uploaded by its National Working Committee remains valid.

Party spokesman Jungudo Mohammed Haruna said the commission is free to receive documents from anyone but maintained that only submissions made through the recognised party leadership have legal standing.

A member of the PDP Board of Trustees, Teejay Yusuf, also maintained that the rival group’s efforts would not alter the party’s officially recognised nominations and expressed confidence that more members would return to the mainstream PDP leadership.