The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has published the personal particulars and nomination documents of African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar and his running mate, former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, ahead of the 2027 general election.
The documents, contained in Form EC9, were released 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.
We reported earlier that INEC also released the nomination documents of President Bola Tinubu, whose forms drew attention after the sections for his primary and secondary education were left blank.
The documents submitted by Atiku and Amaechi include their personal information, educational qualifications, work history, affidavits and supporting credentials filed with INEC through the ADC.
According to Atiku’s nomination papers, the former vice president listed his First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC), obtained in 1954, and the West African School Certificate (WASC), obtained in 1961. He also declared a Master of Arts (MA) degree in International Relations, which he obtained in 2020.
His work history shows that he served in the Nigerian Customs Service between 1969 and 1989 before becoming Vice President of Nigeria from 1999 to 2007. The documents indicate that he voluntarily retired from the Customs Service, while his tenure as vice president ended after completing two terms.
Atiku’s Form EC9 identifies him as a businessman seeking election as President under the platform of the African Democratic Congress.
Amaechi’s documents show that he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate in 1970 and the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) certificate in 1977. He also submitted his Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature from the University of Port Harcourt, where he graduated with a Second Class Honours (Lower Division) in 1983.
His work record states that he served as a member of the Rivers State House of Assembly from 1999 to 2007 before becoming Governor of Rivers State between 2007 and 2015. He also listed his appointment as Nigeria’s Minister of Transportation from 2015 to 2022, indicating that he resigned from the position before seeking elective office.
Amaechi is seeking election as vice president on the ADC ticket alongside Atiku.
Earlier, INEC explained that the publication of the nomination documents forms part of the commission’s timetable for the 2027 general election and is meant to allow members of the public to examine the information submitted by candidates.
INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, said, “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.”
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, “Form EC9 contains the candidates’ affidavits, credentials, and other personal particulars that were submitted.”
“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.”
The electoral commission, however, clarified that publishing the nomination documents does not amount to releasing the final list of candidates. It noted that political parties still have until August 22, 2026, to withdraw or substitute candidates, while the final list for the presidential and National Assembly elections will be published on September 12, 2026.
