Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and relevant authorities to thoroughly verify the academic and professional credentials of all political candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, Obi emphasized that the credibility of Nigeria’s democracy depends on truth, transparency, and integrity in the leadership selection process.
He commended the resignation of Uche Nnaji, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, following controversies over discrepancies in his academic records, describing the move as “a decent and honourable step.” Obi also recalled the resignation of former Finance Minister Kemi Adeosun under similar circumstances during the Buhari administration, noting that such cases are serious and constitute criminal offences.
“It is appalling that our electoral body carries out little or no due diligence in confirming certificates submitted by candidates,” Obi said. “Discrepancies, false declarations, and forgeries undermine the credibility of our democracy.”
He urged INEC to begin immediate verification of certificates submitted by all candidates, from presidential aspirants to local government councillors, to ensure transparency and restore public trust.
“INEC has enough time to investigate past complaints of forgery and false claims. Every aspirant must submit all academic credentials now for verification and public access, detailing schools attended from primary to university level,” he stated.
Obi concluded by stressing that building a credible democracy requires leadership grounded in honesty, not deceit. “Let truth, transparency, and accountability form the foundation of leadership in our country. We must get it right.”
