The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has urged relevant government agencies to begin a thorough verification and authentication of all academic and professional certificates of political candidates as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections.
In a post shared on his official X handle on Thursday, Obi reacted to the alleged certificate forgery scandal involving the recently resigned Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Uche Nnaji.
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He said Nigeria must not continue to tolerate dishonesty and criminality at the heart of its leadership.
The former Anambra State governor expressed disappointment over the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) lack of diligence in verifying certificates submitted by candidates, warning that the recurrence of false claims and forged documents continues to weaken public trust and the credibility of elections.
“If Nigeria truly desires a free, fair, and credible 2027 election, the process of integrity must begin now,” Obi stated.
He commended Nnaji’s resignation as an honourable step, recalling a similar case during President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure when then Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, resigned over her NYSC certificate controversy.
“These matters are not trivial; they are serious criminal offences,” Obi stressed.
He further called for a comprehensive national review of qualification and background verification for all public office holders, noting that countries like Ghana have set strong examples by cross-checking educational claims of political aspirants before elections.
Obi urged INEC to use the time before the next polls to investigate all pending forgery and false declaration complaints, and to make candidates’ educational records publicly accessible.
“Let truth, transparency, and accountability form the foundation of leadership in our country.
“Only then can we build a Nigeria where public service is anchored on honour, not deceit. We must get it right,” he concluded.