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From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially released the detailed credentials of presidential and vice presidential candidates for next year’s general elections, displaying their names and particulars at the state headquarters of the commission across the country for public claims and objections.
The commission, in compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026, displayed the names of the flagship candidates comprising the incumbent, Bola Tinubu, Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar, the candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) respectively, among many others.
Blanking out former president, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, perhaps for obvious reason despite purchasing the expression of interest and nomination forms of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the display of candidates’ details exercise, which is part of the commission’s timetable and schedule of activities is aimed at promoting transparency and providing members of the public with the opportunity to scrutinise the credentials and other particulars submitted by the candidates seeking elective offices.
Curiously, an analysis of the documents displayed showed that President Tinubu blanked out in providing the details of the year he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC) and his secondary school, contrary to his counterparts like Atiku and Obi that provided more details.
While Obi, claimed in the academic details he provided that he attended St Augustine Primary School and Christ the King College (CKC) both in Anambra State, and finished 1973 and 1978, respectively, Atiku only disclosed that he attended and finished primary and secondary school in 1954 and 1961 respectively without providing details on the names of the schools he attended, President Tinubu had bluntly blanked out both the schools attended and the years he graduated in his forms.
Performing the exercise of publication of the presidential candidates’ details on behalf of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), the Administrative Secretary, Mrs. Bimbo Oladunjoye, noted that the it is a statutory requirement under Section 29(3) of the Electoral Act, 2026, mandating the commission to display the personal particulars, affidavits and other relevant documents of candidates in the constituencies where they intend to contest elections.
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The displayed credentials covered the presidential and National Assembly candidates contesting elections in the Federal Capital Territory.
She further explained that the exercise is conducted simultaneously at all INEC offices across the six Area Councils to ensure easy access for members of the public.
While stressing that the display of candidates’ particulars is an important aspect of the electoral process, she said that it enhances openness, accountability and public confidence in the conduct of elections.
Oladunjoye, therefore, encouraged citizens, political parties, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), the media and other election stakeholders to take advantage of the exercise by examining the information displayed carefully and take necessary action.
She reassured that the commission remains committed to strictly comply with the law and the implementation of its timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general elections.
“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 Guideline.
“The public display of candidates’ personal particulars is a key legal requirement designed to strengthen transparency and accountability in the electoral system, in line with Section 29(3) of the Electoral Act, 2026,” she explained further.
The electoral umpire equally reaffirmed its commitment to conducting free, fair, credible and transparent elections, urging all stakeholders to continue to support the commission in ensuring a successful electoral process.
