Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other relevant agencies to begin verifying and authenticating the academic and professional certificates of all political candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday titled “Certificate Integrity and the Future of Nigerian Leadership,” Obi said the credibility of Nigeria’s democracy depends on truth and transparency in leadership recruitment.
He commended the resignation of Uche Nnaji, the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, following controversies surrounding his academic records, describing it as “a decent and honourable step.”
Obi also recalled that former Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, resigned under similar circumstances during the Buhari administration, emphasizing that such cases are not trivial but serious offences that undermine public trust.
“It is appalling that our electoral body carries out little or no due diligence in confirming certificates submitted by candidates. Continuous discrepancies, false declarations, and forged credentials undermine the credibility of our democracy,” Obi stated.
The former Anambra State governor urged INEC to verify certificates submitted by all candidates, from the president to local government councillors, to prevent future controversies and restore confidence in the electoral process.
He further called for a national framework that ensures comprehensive background and academic checks for anyone seeking public office, citing Ghana as an example of a country that thoroughly verifies candidates’ claims before elections.
“INEC has enough time to investigate past complaints about various forms of forgery and false claims. Every incumbent and aspiring candidate must submit all academic certificates immediately for verification and public accessibility,” he added.
