Those published were considered validly nominated by their respective political parties.

Prominent among the presidential candidates that made the final list were Asiwanu Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC); Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP); Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of the New Nigerian People’s Party (NNPP) and Adebayo Adewole of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Among others.

But Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, was omitted as the APC does not have any candidate for Yobe North Senatorial district while the name of former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, was published as the APC candidate for Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District.

A further breakdown of the list showed that 1,101 candidates are contesting the 109 Senatorial seats, while 3,122 candidates are vying for the 469 House of Representatives seats.

Among the candidates for the presidential and National Assembly elections, were 3,875, made up of 35 for presidential and vice presidential, 1,008 for Senate and 2,832 for House of Representatives. Similarly, 381 females comprising one for Presidential, 92 for Senate, and 288 for House of Representatives are contesting.

Eleven Persons with Disability (PWDs) are also contesting.

A statement by INEC National Commissioner and Chairman Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, reads: “in summary, all the 18 political parties have fielded candidates and their running mates for the Presidential election.

“For legislative elections, 1,101 candidates are vying for 109 Senatorial seats and 3,122 candidates for Federal Constituencies i.e. House of Representatives seats, making a total of 4,223 candidates contesting for 469 legislative positions.