Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, has urged Nigerian leaders and institutions to take certificate integrity more seriously, warning that dishonesty and forgery continue to erode the nation’s credibility.
In a statement on Thursday, Obi praised the resignation of Uche Nnaji, the former Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, who stepped down following allegations of discrepancies in his academic certificates. He described Nnaji’s action as “a decent and honourable step.”
He recalled that similar situations had occurred in the past — notably in 2018, when former Finance Minister Kemi Adeosun resigned after her NYSC certificate was found to be questionable. Obi said such controversies were not minor matters but serious criminal offences that undermine the moral fabric of governance.
Nigeria must stop treating falsehood in leadership as a mere embarrassment. It is a crime against the state and the people, he stated.
A Call for Certificate Verification Before 2027
With the 2027 general elections approaching, Obi called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and relevant agencies to urgently begin the process of verifying all academic and professional certificates of political candidates — from presidential aspirants to local government councillors.
He warned that allowing unverified documents in public office weakens democracy. “We cannot continue to allow dishonesty and criminality to sit at the heart of leadership,” he said.
Obi also challenged INEC to adopt the model used in Ghana, where educational and professional claims of candidates are cross-checked before elections. According to him, Nigeria must not do less if it wishes to regain public trust in governance.
The Shadows of the Past
The controversy surrounding Uche Nnaji’s credentials comes months after questions resurfaced about President Bola Tinubu’s own academic records, which some political opponents alleged contained inconsistencies from his supposed alma mater in the United States.
Though the presidency has dismissed those allegations, Obi suggested that such recurring issues show a deeper problem of weak institutional verification.
“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.”
Building a Culture of Accountability
The former Anambra governor urged INEC to begin a national audit of all political certificates, saying it still has enough time before the next election cycle to verify old and new submissions.
He proposed that all incumbents and aspirants should be required to publicly submit their certificates and details of schools attended from primary to university level for public scrutiny.
“If we truly desire a free, fair, and credible 2027 election, the process of integrity must begin now,” Obi said.
He concluded that truth, transparency, and accountability must form the foundation of governance in Nigeria. “Only then can we build a country where public service is anchored on honour, not deceit. We must get it right.”
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