The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has clarified that the credentials of presidential candidates published ahead of the 2027 general election, including those of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), reflect only the documents submitted to the commission by the candidates and their parties.
A top-ranking INEC official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, stated that the commission has no authority to question, alter, or demand additional credentials beyond what is presented. The publication is intended solely to enable public scrutiny and allow any interested party to raise objections through the appropriate legal processes.
“We only published what was submitted to the commission. We don’t have any authority to question those ones. I mean, our own is just to publish so that anybody who has an objection can raise issues with what we’ve published,” the official said.
The clarification follows public observations after INEC displayed the personal particulars and supporting documents of presidential candidates. In the case of President Tinubu, the published Form EC9 and accompanying materials listed his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Chicago State University (awarded in 1979) and his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate. Spaces for primary and secondary school qualifications were left blank, and no corresponding certificates were included among the documents made public.
INEC has consistently maintained that its role under the Electoral Act is to publish the personal particulars and supporting documents submitted by candidates for public inspection. Verification of the authenticity or completeness of academic credentials is not the commission’s responsibility; any challenge on those grounds is a matter for the courts.
The publication of candidates’ documents forms part of the statutory process leading to the 2027 elections and opens a window for members of the public, political parties, and other stakeholders to examine the submissions and, where they believe there are grounds, seek legal redress as provided by law.
INEC reaffirmed its commitment to transparency in the electoral process while remaining within the limits of its statutory mandate.