2027: Obi Urges INEC to Make Candidates’ Academic Credentials Public

2027: Obi Urges INEC to Make Candidates’ Academic Credentials Public

Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to publish the academic qualifications and other credentials submitted by candidates seeking elective offices.

He said making the documents available for public scrutiny would promote transparency, strengthen accountability and boost public confidence in the electoral process ahead of the 2027 general election.

According to him, making the documents available for public scrutiny would promote transparency, strengthen accountability and restore confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process.

The former Anambra State governor made the appeal on Tuesday after completing his nomination forms.

He noted that one of the questions required aspirants to declare whether they had ever submitted a forged certificate to the electoral commission.

He argued that Nigerians have a right to examine the credentials of those aspiring to occupy public office, insisting that public access to such documents would promote credibility and discourage false claims.

According to Obi, exposing candidates’ qualifications to public scrutiny would reinforce the integrity of elections and help rebuild trust in democratic institutions.

He also pointed to another section of the nomination form asking whether an aspirant had ever been declared of unsound mind, saying the question should remind political leaders of the responsibility that comes with public office.

Obi questioned whether the country’s leadership could honestly claim to be making sound decisions while millions of Nigerians continue to grapple with insecurity, rising poverty, unemployment and widespread hunger.

He lamented that kidnapping and violent attacks have continued to make many highways unsafe, stressing that government should prioritise tackling the nation’s pressing challenges instead of focusing on political calculations.

The former governor maintained that confronting economic hardship, insecurity and declining living conditions requires urgent and decisive leadership.

He added that allowing Nigerians to verify the credentials of political candidates would mark an important step toward building a more transparent and credible electoral system.