INEC Publishes Tinubu, Atiku and Obi’s Credentials as Public Scrutiny Begins Ahead of 2027 Election

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has published the personal particulars and academic credentials of presidential candidates for the January 16, 2027 presidential election, officially opening the statutory period during which members of the public may inspect and, where necessary, legally challenge information contained in candidates’ nomination documents.

The documents, published nationwide in accordance with INEC’s revised timetable and the provisions of the Electoral Act, include the EC9 nomination forms and supporting certificates submitted by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and former Anambra State Governor Peter Gregory Obi, among other contenders.

A review of President Tinubu’s nomination documents shows that he listed a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Business Administration obtained from Chicago State University in 1979 under the educational qualifications section of his EC9 form.

The sections designated for primary and secondary school qualifications on the summary page of the form were left blank. However, Tinubu attached copies of his university degree certificate and his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate as supporting documents.

The President also stated that he was born on March 29, 1952, in Lagos and identified his occupation as politician.

His employment history indicates that he worked at Mobil Nigeria Limited between 1983 and 1992, served as Governor of Lagos State from 1999 to 2007, and has been employed by the Federal Government of Nigeria since assuming office as President in 2023.

Tinubu further declared that he has never been dismissed from the public service.

Peter Obi’s nomination papers contain a full educational record beginning from his primary education.

According to the documents, Obi attended St. Augustine’s Primary School in Anambra State, completing his primary education in 1973, before proceeding to Christ the King College (CKC), Onitsha, where he obtained the West African School Certificate (WASC) in 1978.

He also declared that he earned a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Philosophy from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka in 1984.

The attached degree certificate indicates that he graduated with a Second Class Honours (Lower Division).

Obi also submitted his NYSC certificate, showing he completed the mandatory national service between May 1985 and March 1986.

While he described his occupation as Public Servant, the section for previous employment history on his EC9 form was left blank. He equally declared that he has never been dismissed from public service.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar stated in his nomination documents that he obtained a First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC) in 1954, the West African School Certificate (WASC) in 1961, and a Master of Arts (M.A.) in International Relations in 2020.

He listed his occupation as Businessman and indicated that he served in the Nigeria Customs Service from 1969 to 1989, retiring voluntarily.

The former vice president also recorded his service at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, between 1999 and 2007 during his tenure as Vice President.

Like the other leading candidates, Atiku declared that he has never been dismissed from the public service.

The publication of the nomination documents marks the commencement of the statutory period during which Nigerians can inspect candidates’ credentials.

Under Section 33 of the Electoral Act, any person who has reasonable grounds to believe that information contained in a candidate’s affidavit or supporting documents is false may file a legal action challenging the declaration before a competent court.

INEC had scheduled August 1 for the publication of presidential candidates’ personal particulars following the conclusion of party primaries and the submission of nomination forms.

The Commission is expected to commence campaigns for the presidential and National Assembly elections later this month, while the presidential election remains scheduled for January 16, 2027.