Obi Identifies as Public Servant in INEC’s 2027 Candidate Documents

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has published the personal particulars and nomination documents of Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi and his running mate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, ahead of the 2027 general election.

The documents, contained in Form EC9, were made public on Saturday in line with Section 29(3) of the Electoral Act 2026, which requires the electoral commission to publish the personal details of nominated candidates for public scrutiny.

According to Obi’s Form EC9, he declared his occupation as a public servant and listed his residential address in Onitsha, Anambra State. In the sworn declaration accompanying his nomination papers, he affirmed that the information provided in the form was true and correct to the best of his knowledge.

The documents show that Obi attended St. Augustine’s Primary School, where he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate in 1973. He later attended Christ the King College and earned his West African School Certificate in 1978 before proceeding to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy in 1984.

Obi also attached his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate, showing that he successfully completed the mandatory one-year national service between May 1985 and May 1986.

Kwankwaso’s nomination documents also contain his educational qualifications, work history and other personal particulars submitted to the electoral commission as part of the requirements for contesting the 2027 presidential election.

Earlier, INEC also released the nomination documents of African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar and his running mate, Rotimi Amaechi, as well as those of President Bola Tinubu.

Explaining the publication of the candidates’ particulars, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, said the exercise was part of the commission’s approved timetable for the 2027 elections.

“The publication of the personal particulars of the presidential and national assembly candidates tomorrow is item 5. Those for governorship and state assembly candidates will be published on August 29,” Haruna said.

He added, “All this is in conformity with Section 29(3) of the Electoral Act 2026, which provides for the publication of these particulars within 21 days of receiving them.”

Also confirming the exercise, the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Adedayo Oketola, said the publication of Form EC9 was a legal requirement under the Electoral Act.

He added, “All this is in conformity with Section 29(3) of the Electoral Act 2026, which provides for the publication of these particulars within 21 days of receiving them.”

Also confirming the exercise, the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Adedayo Oketola, said the publication of Form EC9 was a legal requirement under the Electoral Act.

“Form EC9 contains the candidates’ affidavits, credentials, and other personal particulars that were submitted,” Oketola said.

“The documents will be displayed in all INEC state offices and offices in the constituencies. Section 29(3) of the Electoral Act, 2026, provides for the publication of Form EC9 within 21 days of receipt. So, this is in line with the revised timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general election released on February 26, 2026.”

INEC, however, stressed that publishing the nomination documents does not amount to releasing the final list of candidates. The commission said political parties still have until August 22, 2026, to withdraw or substitute nominated candidates, while the final list of presidential and National Assembly candidates will be published on September 12, 2026.