The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to make public the academic certificates and credentials submitted by all candidates seeking elective office in 2027.
Obi made the call while reflecting on specific criteria contained in the INEC nomination form, particularly questions addressing mental fitness and the authenticity of submitted credentials.
He argued that for openness and integrity to thrive in the nation’s electoral system, the electoral umpire must treat public office seekers with transparency by publishing their papers. According to him, making such documents available to the public ensures that leaders are held to higher standards of accountability.
“‘Have you ever presented a forged certificate to INEC?’ Again, the answer is either Yes or No,” Obi noted. “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: “Type of 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.”
The NDC flagbearer further highlighted Section E, Question 1 of the nomination form, which asks whether a candidate has ever been adjudged a lunatic or declared a person of unsound mind, requiring a strict “Yes” or “No” response.
Obi noted that current national realities suggest leaders may be losing focus on urgent priorities. He pointed to the country’s prevailing security and economic challenges—including rampant kidnappings, unsafe highways, widespread hunger, and the alleged diversion of public funds into questionable projects—as red flags.
A responsible and sound-minded leadership, he argued, would treat the country’s existential crises as a national emergency by mobilizing security agencies, community leaders, and economic experts to address them immediately. He insisted that the survival and stability of Nigeria must take precedence over partisan politics.
Meanwhile, the National Leader of the NDC, Seriake Dickson, confirmed that Obi’s name has already been successfully uploaded to the INEC portal.
The political maneuver comes amid an ongoing legal battle, following a recent court ruling that set aside an earlier judgment recognizing the registration of the opposition party—a decision the NDC has vowed to appeal.
