Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission to make public the academic certificates and credentials submitted by all candidates seeking elective office.
Obi made the call while reflecting on questions contained in the INEC nomination form, particularly those relating to candidates’ mental fitness and the authenticity of their academic qualifications.
He argued that making candidates’ credentials public would improve transparency and strengthen public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process.
Questioning why such documents should remain confidential, Obi said, “Have you ever presented a forged certificate to INEC? Again, the answer is either Yes or No. This raises another important question: Why shouldn’t INEC, in the interest of ensuring that our leaders are exemplary in following the rules and to strengthen public confidence in our electoral process, publish the academic certificates and credentials submitted by every candidate seeking elective office?”
He added, “Transparency strengthens democracy and builds public trust. Nigeria’s problems are too serious for politics as usual. It is time for leadership defined by competence, character, capacity, compassion, and commitment to service.”
Obi also referenced Section E, Question 1 of the nomination form, which asks whether a candidate has ever been declared to be of unsound mind. According to him, the question raises broader concerns about whether Nigeria’s political leaders are demonstrating sound judgment.
He noted that persistent insecurity, kidnappings, unsafe highways, widespread hunger, and allegations of mismanagement of public funds suggest that leadership attention is drifting away from the nation’s most pressing challenges.
According to Obi, responsible leadership should treat Nigeria’s security and economic crises as a national emergency, mobilizing all relevant institutions and stakeholders toward urgent solutions.
The former Anambra State governor maintained that the country’s survival, security, and stability must take precedence over political calculations, stressing that Nigeria needs leaders defined by competence, character, capacity, compassion, and commitment to public service.
Earlier, Seriake Dickson confirmed that Obi’s name had been uploaded to the INEC portal despite the recent court ruling that voided the registration process of the opposition party.
