- The importance of thorough checks and that Nigeria must adopt the same standard
- He criticised INEC for what he called a lack of due diligence in verifying candidates’ credentials
- false claims and forged certificates continue to weaken public trust in governance
Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission and other relevant agencies to begin verifying the academic and professional credentials of all political candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He said the credibility of Nigeria’s democracy depends on truth, transparency, and integrity in leadership selection.
Eko Hot Blog reports that Obi made the call in a statement on Thursday, stressing that the verification should cover every candidate, from the presidency to local government levels.
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He said other countries, such as Ghana, have demonstrated the importance of thorough checks and that Nigeria must adopt the same standard.
The former Anambra State governor commended Uche Nnaji, the former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, for resigning amid a certificate controversy.
He described Nnaji’s action as decent and honourable, noting that accountability in leadership should be the norm, not the exception.
Obi also recalled the 2018 resignation of former Finance Minister Kemi Adeosun over a similar issue, describing such cases as serious criminal offences that should not be ignored.
He criticised INEC for what he called a lack of due diligence in verifying candidates’ credentials and urged immediate reforms. Obi said the commission must investigate past complaints and ensure all politicians submit verifiable academic records before the 2027 elections.
He added that Nigeria’s democratic integrity must rest on honesty and transparency, warning that false claims and forged certificates continue to weaken public trust in governance.
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