The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has published credentials and personal details of President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The INEC also published details of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and his running mate, Rabi’u Kwankwaso, alongside those of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Atiku Abubakar.

DAILY POST reports that Section 29(3) of the Electoral Act states that INEC is required to make candidates’ personal particulars public within 21 days of receiving them, allowing voters and stakeholders to scrutinise the documents submitted by aspirants.

Details published include certificates of academic qualifications and other supporting documents submitted by candidates seeking elective offices.

The publication of the documents comes ahead of the official commencement of campaigns for the 2027 presidential election on August 19.

The National Chairman of the Labour Party, Senator Nenadi Usman, has urged political leaders nationwide to adopt patriotism, tolerance, and issue-focused politics as Nigeria approaches another electoral cycle.

Speaking with journalists during the 80th birthday celebration of former Governor of Plateau State, Jonah Jang, which took place in Jos on Friday, Usman emphasized that the nation’s advancement hinges on the political class’s commitment to prioritizing national interests over personal and partisan agendas.

Usman noted that while political competition is a vital component of democracy, it should never descend into animosity, hatred, or the disintegration of the country’s social fabric.

She stated, “The upcoming election should not be a conflict against fellow Nigerians. It ought to be a contest of ideas, competence, and character. Once elections conclude, we must all return to the same Nigeria. This is why patriotism must always take precedence over politics.”

The Labour Party National Chairman highlighted that Nigerians deserve leaders who foster unity rather than division, instill hope instead of fear, and construct bridges across political, ethnic, and religious divides.

Usman further remarked, “Our political parties may differ, but our nation is one. We have a duty to future generations to engage in politics without undermining the connections that bind our nation together.”

In her call for increased civility within the political arena, Senator Usman encouraged politicians and their supporters to denounce inflammatory language and to cultivate mutual respect.

“History does not remember those who shouted the loudest. It remembers those who built the strongest institutions, protected democracy and put their country first.”

She further observed that no democratic system can flourish where intolerance replaces dialogue, adding that disagreements should strengthen democracy rather than weaken national unity.

“We must disagree without becoming enemies. Democracy flourishes where there is tolerance, respect for differing opinions and an unwavering commitment to peace.”

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, of acting with institutional bias against the party, alleging that the electoral body is contributing to efforts aimed at weakening the opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The allegation was contained in a statement issued on Saturday by the National Publicity Secretary of the party’s Interim National Working Committee, Ini Ememobong, and posted on the official social media page of the PDP.

The party said its allegation followed INEC’s refusal to recognise its Interim National Working Committee despite being formally notified after the Supreme Court’s judgment on the leadership crisis.

The PDP said it subsequently approached the Federal High Court in Abuja to compel the commission to recognise the interim leadership but expressed dissatisfaction with the court’s ruling, describing it as inconsistent with previous judgments of the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal.

The party disclosed that it has appealed the judgment, insisting that the legal dispute was aimed at protecting the integrity of the PDP from what it described as attempts to reduce Nigeria’s leading opposition party into “an appendage of the ruling party.”

“We approached the court to preserve the integrity of the Peoples Democratic Party from those who seek to reduce Nigeria’s foremost opposition party into an appendage of the ruling party,” the statement said.

The PDP further alleged that INEC’s conduct throughout the legal proceedings had reinforced public concerns about the commission’s neutrality.

“The Commission’s actions have regrettably reinforced the growing public perception that it is no longer acting with the impartiality expected of the nation’s electoral umpire,” the party stated.

It accused INEC of withholding material facts in court proceedings involving the PDP and ignoring congresses conducted under the commission’s supervision whenever such facts contradicted its position before the courts.

“The Commission’s filings, its arguments before the courts, and its refusal to comply with court orders favourable to our Party have collectively created an impression of institutional bias that should concern every Nigerian, irrespective of political affiliation,” the statement added.

The opposition party also claimed that the refusal to recognise its interim leadership forms part of a broader effort to weaken opposition parties and pave the way for what it described as a one-party state in Nigeria.

According to the PDP, it remains confident that the Court of Appeal will clarify the legal issues surrounding the leadership dispute and reaffirm the authority of earlier judgments delivered by higher courts.