Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to thoroughly verify the academic certificates of all political candidates ahead of future elections.
He said the move is necessary to ensure credibility and restore trust in Nigeria’s democratic process.
In a statement released on his verified X account on Monday, Obi urged the electoral body and other relevant institutions to adopt stricter vetting procedures before clearing any aspirant for elective office. He said that the widespread forgery of academic qualifications has continued to weaken the moral foundation of governance. “It is disheartening that people who forged certificates have found their way into public offices,” Obi stated.
The former governor of Anambra State noted that several politicians currently occupying positions used falsified credentials to contest during the 2023 elections. He alleged that some of them “scaled through INEC, security, and even Senate screenings” despite presenting questionable documents. According to him, such acts promote corruption and discourage hardworking citizens who value integrity.
Obi further described Nigeria as “a crime scene” where wrongdoers are often celebrated rather than punished. He warned that until institutions enforce accountability, the country will continue to struggle with poor leadership and social decay. “Whenever I talk about Nigeria being a crime scene, those who are part of the criminality and their hirelings will start their noise-making, attacking me instead of addressing the issue,” he said.
He called for immediate reforms to the nation’s electoral and legal systems to ensure that only credible and qualified candidates are allowed to participate in elections. “We must sanitize our politics by ensuring that integrity and competence become the minimum requirements for public office,” Obi emphasized. He added that Nigeria’s progress depends on leaders who are transparent and law-abiding.
The Labour Party chieftain reiterated his commitment to advocating for a cleaner political system built on justice and truth. He urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and demand accountability from leaders at all levels, warning that the nation cannot achieve sustainable growth if it continues to overlook dishonesty in its political class.
