The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Saturday published the personal particulars, academic credentials and other supporting documents submitted by candidates for the January 16, 2027 presidential election, opening the statutory period for public scrutiny of their qualifications.

The publication, in line with the Commission’s revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2027 General Election and the Electoral Act, makes available the EC9 forms and accompanying documents submitted by presidential candidates, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Peter Gregory Obi of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), with that of their Vice  and other contenders.

The documents contain details of each candidate’s personal particulars, educational qualifications, occupation, work history, sworn declarations and supporting certificates submitted to the electoral umpire as part of the nomination process.

The publication also marks the commencement of the period during which members of the public may inspect the documents and challenge the information supplied by any candidate in court if there is evidence that any declaration is false.

Section 33 of the Electoral Act provides that any person who has reasonable grounds to believe that information contained in a candidate’s affidavit or other documents submitted to the Commission is false may institute legal proceedings against such a candidate.