INEC Publishes Presidential, NASS Candidates’ Details, Intensifies Preparation For Osun Gov Poll

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced the public display of the personal particulars and credentials of presidential and National Assembly candidates nominated by political parties for the 2027 general elections.

Therefore, INEC published the details of President Bola Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC); former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the flag-bearer of the African Democratic Congress (ADC); and Peter Obi of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

The electoral umpire also displayed the particulars of the vice-presidential candidates, including Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, Obi’s running mate, in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act.

The publication includes academic certificates, declarations and other documents submitted by the candidates to support their nominations for the presidential election.

In the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), INEC displayed the candidates’ particulars at its state headquarters in Abuja and at the commission’s six Area Council offices.

The Administrative Secretary of the commission in the FCT, Bimbo Oladunjoye, performed the exercise on behalf of the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Abuja on Saturday.

Oladunjoye said the publication of candidates’ particulars is a statutory requirement under Section 29(3) of the Electoral Act, 2026, which mandates the commission to display the personal particulars, affidavits and other relevant documents of candidates in the constituencies where they intend to contest elections.

She said the display covers presidential candidates and National Assembly candidates contesting elections in the FCT, adding that the exercise was conducted simultaneously at all INEC offices across the six Area Councils to ensure easy access for members of the public.

Oladunjoye emphasised that the display of candidates’ particulars is an important aspect of the electoral process as it enhances openness, accountability and public confidence in the conduct of elections.

She encouraged citizens, political parties, civil society organisations, the media and other stakeholders to take advantage of the exercise by carefully examining the information displayed.

Meanwhile, INEC rejected former President Goodluck Jonathan’s presidential nomination submitted by the Kabiru Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The camp had insisted that it had manually submitted Jonathan’s candidacy and the names of its other 2027 general election candidates to the commission.

The faction said it resorted to manual submission after INEC denied it access codes needed for electronic submission, stressing that

But INEC’s Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Victoria Eta-Messi, maintained that the commission does not accept nominations outside its designated electronic channel.

On the other hand, preparations for the August 15 Osun governorship election intensified over the week, with the national leadership of the APC and Governor Ademola Adeleke’s campaign under the Accord Party flexing muscles to reclaim and retain the state.

This is as APC inaugurated the Governor Hope Uzodinma-led National Campaign Council in Abuja, where the party’s National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, declared that nothing will stop APC from taking over the Osun Government House in the election.

“…Winning the Osun election is a must for the APC. The party will mobilise resources, coordinate our people and move into Osun in large numbers after this inauguration,” he boasted.

However, the Imole Campaign Council (TICC), the campaign organisation of Governor Adeleke, chided APC, saying a massive defeat awaits the party in the election.

The council dismissed what it described as Yilwatda’s boastful claim that the ruling party’s deployment of governors, National Assembly members, local government chairmen, and other political heavyweights will overwhelm Governor Adeleke at the polls.

In a statement signed by the Chairman of the Media and Publicity Committee of the Imole Campaign Council, Hon. Bamidele Salam, the TICC, said the APC should be reminded that elections are won by the people and not by the number of governors, National Assembly members or political office holders a party can assemble.

Also, Governor Adeleke, APC candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, alongside twelve candidates in the Osun governorship polls, have signed the Peace Accord.

Other notable candidates are the Allied Peoples Movement, Hon Adewale Adebayo, and the African Action Congress (AAC), Olajide Esan, among others.

The candidates from the 14 political parties contesting the gubernatorial seat were present, while those absent were represented by their party officials.

Oyebamiji was represented by his running mate, Kayode Adereti, while the ADC candidate, Najeem Salam, was represented by party officials, including the state chairman.

The peace accord was organised by the National Peace Committee (NPC), in partnership with INEC and the signing of the document was witnessed by the Convener of NPC, Bishop Mathew Hassan Kukah; the Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu, represented by AIG, Zone XI, Fasuba Olabode and INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, traditional rulers led by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, among others.

In another development, the Court of Appeal set aside the judgment of the Federal High Court, which directed INEC to deregister the ADC and four other political parties.

The appellate court held that the plaintiffs failed to establish their claims by credible evidence.

It reaffirmed that INEC, the constitutional regulator of political parties, had placed unchallenged evidence before the court confirming that the ADC satisfied the constitutional and electoral requirements for its continued existence.

The Court equally rejected the reasoning adopted by the trial court concerning elected members of the ADC.

Ahead of the 2027 polls, the Progressive Local Government Chairmen’s Forum, the umbrella body of 685 local government councils chairmen of APC, stormed the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, where they disclosed plans to organise a mega rally in the nation’s capital to endorse President Tinubu for a second term in office.

The forum’s chairman and chairman of the Chanchaga local government council of Niger state, Dr Mustafa Alheri, who led other officials on a courtesy visit to the APC national chairman, said as leaders of the third tier of government who are closer to the people, they carry out a nationwide grassroots mobilisation campaign in support of Tinubu’s re-election.