Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has called on Nigeria’s electoral body, INEC, and relevant authorities to authenticate all academic and professional certificates submitted by political candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections. He made the appeal in a statement posted on X on Thursday, arguing that transparency in credential verification is essential to preserving democratic integrity.
Obi emphasised that repeated allegations of forgery and false declarations erode public confidence. He specifically cited the resignation of Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology Uche Nnaji over controversies about his academic records, as well as former Finance Minister Kemi Adeosun’s resignation under similar scrutiny. “These instances remind us that such matters are not trivial; they constitute serious criminal offences,” he said.
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In urging INEC to begin verification immediately, Obi insisted that all candidates, from candidates intending to run for presidency to local government aspirants, councilors, should submit full academic records, including institutions and years attended. He wants those records publicly accessible once verified by the body.
Obi further criticised INEC’s existing practice, stating that the electoral body often carries out little to no diligence on candidate credentials. “Continuous discrepancies, false declarations, and forged credentials undermine the credibility of our democracy,” he wrote.
He called on the commission to clear any backlog of unresolved forgery complaints and insisted that prospective officeholders provide primary-through-university certificates for scrutiny. “Let truth, transparency, and accountability form the foundation of leadership in our dear country,” Obi added.
Obi warned that failure to prosecute proven forgeries or to enforce certificate verification would perpetuate a system in which dishonesty is unpunished. He urged that the process begin well in advance of the 2027 election cycle to give the commission more time to carry out the process, as well as ensure a fair playing field.
The controversy over credential authenticity has dogged Nigerian politics for years. In the recent case involving Uche Nnaji, media reports by outlets such as Premium Times alleged discrepancies in his NYSC and degree documentation, triggering legal and public backlash, causing him to eventually resign from the ministry.
