Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has called for a nationwide overhaul of the certificate verification process for all public office holders, stressing that integrity and honesty must form the foundation of Nigeria’s leadership.
Obi made the call in a statement titled “Certificate Integrity and the Future of Nigerian Leadership”, in which he commended the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Mr. Uche Nnaji, for resigning amid controversy surrounding discrepancies in his academic certificates.
Describing Nnaji’s resignation as a “decent and honourable step,” Obi also recalled that during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, the then Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, resigned over issues relating to her NYSC certificate a move he said underscored the seriousness of such matters.
“These instances remind us that such matters are not trivial; they constitute serious criminal offences,” Obi stated.
He urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other relevant agencies to take decisive steps in verifying and authenticating all academic and professional certificates of every candidate contesting in the 2027 general elections — from the presidency down to local government councillors.
“We cannot continue to allow dishonesty and criminality to sit at the heart of leadership,” he warned.
According to Obi, Nigeria must emulate countries like Ghana that rigorously verify the educational qualifications of political candidates before elections, adding that failure to do so erodes the credibility of democracy.
“It is appalling that our electoral body carries out little or no due diligence in confirming certificates submitted by candidates,” he said. “Continuous discrepancies, false declarations, and forged credentials undermine the credibility of our democracy.”
Obi further urged INEC to begin immediate investigations into past cases of certificate forgery and false claims, and to mandate all incumbents and aspirants to submit their academic records for verification and public accessibility.
“If we truly desire a free, fair, and credible 2027 election, the process of integrity must begin now,” he added.
The former governor of Anambra State emphasized that truth, transparency, and accountability must form the basis of governance, saying only then can Nigeria build a public service anchored on honour rather than deceit.
“A new Nigeria is possible,” he concluded.
