The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released the personal details and credentials of the 19 presidential candidates and their running mates for the 2027 general election, clearing the way for campaigns to begin on August 19.
The publication of the candidates’ Form EC9 is required under Section 29(3) of the Electoral Act 2026. The law requires INEC to display the personal details of candidates after receiving their nomination forms, giving the public and other eligible persons the chance to examine the information submitted.
According to the list published by INEC on Saturday, President Bola Tinubu will contest on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), with Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar will represent the African Democratic Congress (ADC), with former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi as his running mate.
Former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi is the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), with former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso as his vice-presidential candidate.
The documents also include the candidates’ educational qualifications, dates of birth, occupations and other personal information ahead of the August 19 start of campaigns.
Full list of presidential candidates
- Bola Tinubu – All Progressives Congress (APC)
- Atiku Abubakar – African Democratic Congress (ADC)
- Peter Obi – Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC)
- Senator 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 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 his documents, Tinubu was born on March 29, 1952. He said he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Chicago State University in 1979 and completed the National Youth Service Corps between December 1982 and November 1983. His submission did not include details of his primary and secondary school education.
Shettima said he attended Lamisula I Primary School from 1972 to 1978 before earning his West African School Certificate from Government Secondary School, Potiskum, in 1983. He also obtained a Second Class Upper degree in Agriculture from the University of Maiduguri in 1989 and later earned a Master’s degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of Ibadan.
Atiku’s documents show he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate in 1954 and his West African School Certificate in 1961. He also stated that he earned a Master’s degree in International Relations from Anglia Ruskin University in 2020.
Amaechi, who was born on May 27, 1965, in Ubima, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, attended St. Theresa’s Primary School from 1970 to 1976 and obtained his West African Senior School Certificate from Government Secondary School, Okolobiri, in 1982. He later earned a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in English Studies and Literature from the University of Port Harcourt in 1987, where he served as president of the National Union of Rivers State Students. He also obtained a Bachelor of Laws and other qualifications from Baze University, the Nigerian Law School and King’s College London.
Obi stated in his Form EC9 that he attended St. Augustine’s Primary School in Anambra before moving to Christ the King College, where he obtained his West African School Certificate in 1978. He also declared a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, earned in 1984.
Kwankwaso said in his affidavit that he was born on October 21, 1956, in Kano and is 69 years old. His records show he earned a Higher Diploma in Civil Engineering (Water Resources) with Upper Credit from Kaduna Polytechnic in 1980. He also submitted his NYSC Certificate of National Service, showing he completed his one-year service between August 1, 1980, and July 31, 1981.
Donald Duke stated that he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Law from Ahmadu Bello University.
Sowore submitted a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Columbia University in New York. He also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Geography and Regional Planning from the University of Lagos, where he studied from 1989 to 1995, with a two-year extension due to expulsion for political activism.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan was not included on the list, despite reports that he had been nominated by the Tanimu Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party.
Also missing is Gbenga Olawepo Hashim, who had claimed the Accord Party’s presidential ticket. The party had earlier announced that it would not field a presidential candidate because none of its aspirants met the nomination deadline.
