Ahead of the 2027 general election, Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, has called for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and relevant agencies to rigorously scrutinize candidates’ certificates to prevent the election of individuals with fraudulent credentials.
In a statement released by his media spokesperson, Obi highlighted the prevalence of forged certificates among current officeholders, emphasizing the importance of integrity in public service. He stated that the processes leading to office are fundamental and must be held to high standards.
Obi criticized the laxity of INEC in scrutinizing candidates’ documents, lamenting that individuals with forged credentials have successfully navigated the electoral and parliamentary systems. He stressed that certificate forgery is a serious crime, and called for immediate disqualification and prosecution of anyone found guilty of such actions.
Drawing comparisons with international standards, Obi recounted his discussions with officials in Indonesia, where presenting forged certificates leads to automatic disqualification. He argued that Nigeria must adopt similar measures to uphold the integrity of its electoral process.
To enhance accountability, Obi proposed that candidates submit all academic certificates and relevant details to INEC six months prior to elections. He called for public verification of these documents to ensure transparency and discourage dishonesty in governance.
Obi concluded by asserting that addressing certificate forgery with the seriousness it deserves is crucial for the future of Nigerian leadership, advocating for an end to the era where dishonesty is rewarded with political power.