The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has published the personal particulars and academic credentials of the 19 presidential candidates and their running mates for the 2027 general election, paving the way for the commencement of campaigns on August 19.
The publication of the candidates’ Form EC9 complies with Section 29(3) of the Electoral Act 2026, which requires INEC to display the personal details of all nominated candidates after receiving their nomination forms.
According to the commission, the exercise allows members of the public and other eligible individuals to examine the information submitted by the candidates.
The list released on Saturday shows that President Bola Tinubu will seek re-election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), with Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar will contest under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), with former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi as his running mate.
Former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi emerged as the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), with former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso as his vice-presidential candidate.
INEC said the published documents also contain the candidates’ educational qualifications, dates of birth, occupations and other personal information submitted ahead of the August 19 commencement of presidential campaigns.
Full List of Presidential Candidates
Bola Tinubu – All Progressives Congress (APC)
Atiku Abubakar – African Democratic Congress (ADC)
Peter Obi – Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC)
Sandy Onor – Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
Omoyele Sowore – African Action Congress (AAC)
Donald Duke – Peoples Redemption Party (PRP)
Okwori Ada Elizabeth Frederick – National Democratic Party (NDP)
Chukwu Anita Zugwai – Young Progressives Party (YPP)
Rufai Adekunle Omoaje – Action Alliance (AA)
Adenuga Sunday – Boot Party
Memeh Samuel – Democratic Liberty Alliance (DLA)
Nwanyanwu Daniel Danerechukwu – Zenith Labour Party (ZLP)
Okereke Sunday Chibuzor – Labour Party (LP)
Okereke Iken Esther – National Rescue Movement (NRM)
Abbas-Bin Aliyu – Action Democratic Party (ADP)
Dikwa Suleiman Mohammed – New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP)
Adebayo Adewole Ebenezer – Social Democratic Party (SDP)
Seyi Makinde – Allied Peoples Movement (APM)
Yusuf Kabiru – Action Peoples Party (APP)
Vice-Presidential Candidates
Kashim Shettima (APC)
Rotimi Amaechi (ADC)
Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso (NDC)
Shehu Hussaini (AA)
Egbeola Olawale Mertins (YPP)
Ike Chinazam (ADP)
Mustapha Usman Turaki (Boot Party)
Balogun Alex (DLA)
Chikwuemeka Uchenna Anthony (NDP)
Magashi Haruna Garba (AAC)
Umaru Babangida (PDP)
Konto Hajja Bintu (LP)
Hassan Khalid (ZLP)
Samuel Magdalene Gali (NRM)
Abubakar Isah (NNPP)
Buba Musa (PRP)
Bugaje Usman Mohammed (SDP)
Ibrahim Adamu Bala (APM)
Ofordile Peace Egobia (APP)
Key Academic and Personal Details
According to the documents submitted to INEC, President Bola Tinubu was born on March 29, 1952. He stated that he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Chicago State University in 1979 and completed the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) between December 1982 and November 1983. His submission did not include details of his primary and secondary education.
Vice President Kashim Shettima stated that he attended Lamisula I Primary School from 1972 to 1978 and Government Secondary School, Potiskum, where he obtained his West African School Certificate in 1983. He also earned a Second Class Upper degree in Agriculture from the University of Maiduguri and a Master’s degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of Ibadan.
Atiku Abubakar’s documents indicate that he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate in 1954 and his West African School Certificate in 1961. He also declared a Master’s degree in International Relations from Anglia Ruskin University, obtained in 2020.
Rotimi Amaechi stated that he attended St. Theresa’s Primary School and Government Secondary School, Okolobiri, before earning a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in English Studies and Literature from the University of Port Harcourt in 1987. He also submitted qualifications in Law from Baze University, the Nigerian Law School and King’s College London.
Peter Obi declared that he attended St. Augustine’s Primary School and Christ the King College before obtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, in 1984.
Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso submitted records showing that he obtained a Higher Diploma in Civil Engineering (Water Resources) from Kaduna Polytechnic in 1980 and also attached his NYSC Certificate of National Service, confirming he completed the mandatory one-year service between August 1980 and July 1981.
Donald Duke submitted a Bachelor of Laws degree from Ahmadu Bello University, while Omoyele Sowore declared a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Geography and Regional Planning from the University of Lagos.
Notably absent from INEC’s published list are former President Goodluck Jonathan, who was reportedly nominated by the Tanimu Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, and Gbenga Olawepo Hashim, who had laid claim to the Accord Party’s presidential ticket.
The Accord Party had earlier announced that it would not field a presidential candidate, stating that none of its aspirants met the party’s nomination deadline.
