Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to begin immediate and thorough verification of all academic and professional certificates submitted by political candidates, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Obi made the call in a statement posted on his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Thursday, stressing that Nigeria’s democratic future depends heavily on transparency, integrity, and accountability in the electoral process.
His comments come in the wake of the resignation of Uche Nnaji, the now-former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, who stepped down following allegations of discrepancies in his academic qualifications.
“I commend Mr. Nnaji for taking a decent and honourable step by resigning,” Obi wrote, adding that it reflects a sense of responsibility that should be encouraged in public service.
Obi drew a parallel with the 2018 resignation of former Finance Minister, Kemi Adeosun, who left office over a forged NYSC exemption certificate under President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.
“These instances remind us that such matters are not trivial. They are criminal offences that must be taken seriously,” Obi noted.
The former Anambra governor expressed deep concern that INEC has failed to conduct adequate background checks on candidates, allowing individuals with questionable credentials to occupy public office.
“It is appalling that our electoral body carries out little or no due diligence in confirming certificates submitted by candidates,” Obi stated.
“Continuous discrepancies, false declarations, and forged documents not only discredit the individuals involved but also erode public trust in our democracy.”
He urged INEC to start early, urging that all political aspirants, from presidential hopefuls to local councillors, be required to submit verifiable academic records, including institutions attended from primary school to university.
According to Obi, if Nigeria hopes to deliver a credible and transparent election in 2027, the process of integrity must begin now.
“INEC has enough time to investigate existing complaints about forgery and false claims. All candidates, especially incumbents, should submit their documents for verification and public scrutiny,” he emphasized.
He concluded by calling for a shift in the political culture, one that values honesty and public accountability over deceit.
“Let truth, transparency, and accountability form the foundation of leadership in our dear country,” Obi said.
“Only then can we build a Nigeria where public service is anchored on honour, not fraud. We must get it right.”
