Labour Occasion presidential candidate within the 2023 election, Mr Peter Obi, has known as on the Unbiased Nationwide Electoral Fee, INEC, and different related businesses to confirm and authenticate the tutorial {and professional} certificates of all political candidates forward of the 2027 basic elections.
In a press release posted on X on Thursday, titled ‘Certificates Integrity and the Way forward for Nigerian Management’, Obi mentioned the credibility of Nigeria’s democracy is determined by reality and transparency in management choice.
He recommended the resignation of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Know-how, Uche Nnaji, following controversies over discrepancies in his tutorial data, describing it as “a good and honourable step”.
He additionally recalled that former Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, resigned beneath related circumstances throughout President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.
“These situations remind us that such issues usually are not trivial; they represent severe felony offences,” Obi mentioned.
He urged INEC to start rapid verification of certificates submitted by all candidates, from the president right down to native authorities councillors, to make sure integrity within the 2027 elections.
“It’s appalling that our electoral physique carries out little or no due diligence in confirming certificates submitted by candidates. Steady discrepancies, false declarations, and solid credentials undermine the credibility of our democracy,” he said.
The previous Anambra State governor pressured that reality, transparency and accountability should kind the inspiration of Nigeria’s management, noting that solely then can public service be anchored on honour quite than deceit.
Obi additionally known as for a complete nationwide evaluate of the qualification and background verification course of for all public workplace holders, citing Ghana for instance of a rustic that completely cross-checks candidates’ academic claims earlier than elections.
“INEC has sufficient time to analyze previous complaints about numerous types of forgery and false claims. Each incumbent and aspiring candidate should submit all tutorial certificates instantly for verification and public accessibility,” he added.
