The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has published the tentative list of presidential candidates for the 2027 general election, featuring President Bola Tinubu, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, and 16 other nominees.
Alongside the names of the candidates, the electoral body also released the details of their running mates and personal documents for public scrutiny, in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026, while excluding former President Goodluck Jonathan and other aspirants presented by the Tanimu Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
According to the list released on Saturday, Tinubu will contest on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Atiku Abubakar is the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), while Peter Obi emerged as the candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC).
Other presidential nominees on the provisional list include Sandy Onor of the PDP, Omoyele Sowore of the AAC, Donald Duke of the PRP, Okwori Ada Elizabeth Frederick of the NDP, Chukwu Anita Zugwai of the YPP, Rufai Adekunle Omoaje of the AA, Adenuga Sunday of the Boot Party, Memeh Samuel of the DLA, Nwanyanwu Daniel Danerechukwu of the ZLP, Okereke Sunday Chibuzor of the LP, Okereke Iken Esther of the NRM, Abbas-Bin Aliyu of the ADP, Dikwa Suleiman Mohammed of the NNPP, Adebayo Adewole Ebenezer of the SDP, Seyi Makinde of the APM and Yusuf Kabiru of the APP.
INEC also published the names of the vice presidential candidates and supporting documents submitted by all nominees, including academic qualifications, NYSC certificates, sworn affidavits and work records.
The commission said the exercise is intended to enable Nigerians, political parties, civil society organisations and the media to examine the credentials of candidates before the final list is released.
Among the vice presidential nominees are Kashim Shettima for the APC, former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi for the ADC and former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso for the NDC.
Others include Shehu Hussaini, Egbeola Olawale Mertins, Ike Chinazam, Mustapha Usman Turaki, Balogun Alex, Chikwuemeka Uchenna Anthony, Magashi Haruna Garba, Umaru Babangida, Konto Hajja Bintu, Hassan Khalid, Samuel Magdalene Gali, Abubakar Isah, Buba Musa, Bugaje Usman Mohammed, Ibrahim Adamu Bala and Ofordile Peace Egobia.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan, whose name was submitted by the Tanimu Turaki-led PDP faction, was omitted from the provisional list.
Also excluded was Gbenga Olawepo Hashim, who claimed to be the presidential candidate of the Accord Party. The party had earlier stated that it had no presidential candidate because none of its aspirants met the nomination deadline.
The documents submitted by the candidates have been uploaded to INEC’s nomination portal and displayed at the commission’s offices nationwide.
President Tinubu submitted a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Chicago State University, listed March 29, 1952 as his date of birth, and identified Mobil Nigeria Limited as his employer between 1983 and 1992 before serving as Governor of Lagos State from 1999 to 2007.
In his affidavit, he declared the Federal Government of Nigeria as his current employer and stated that he had never been dismissed from the public service.
Atiku Abubakar submitted a master’s degree in International Relations obtained from Anglia Ruskin University in the United Kingdom and indicated that he resigned from the Nigerian Customs Service in 1989.
Peter Obi stated that he was born on July 19, 1961, in Onitsha and submitted records showing 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.
Donald Duke listed Ahmadu Bello University as his alma mater, while Omoyele Sowore submitted a master’s degree in Public Administration from Columbia University, New York.
INEC explained that the publication complies with Sections 29(1) and 29(3) of the Electoral Act 2026, which require political parties to submit candidates’ particulars and empower the Commission to publish them for public claims and objections.
FCT Administrative Secretary, Mrs Bimbo Oladunjoye, described the display of candidates’ particulars as a vital aspect of the electoral process that promotes transparency, accountability and public confidence. She urged Nigerians and stakeholders to carefully examine the documents while reaffirming the commission’s commitment to conducting free, fair, credible and transparent elections.
The commission said political parties have until August 22, 2026, to resolve disputes or replace candidates where necessary, while the final list of presidential and National Assembly candidates will be published on September 12, 2026.
INEC Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the Chairman, Adedayo Oketola, clarified that the published names do not constitute the final list of candidates because the Electoral Act still allows withdrawals and substitutions before the stipulated deadline.
