Former Governor, Peter Obi, has called for greater scrutiny of academic credentials presented by political leaders, warning that accepting unverified qualifications could weaken standards and accountability in Nigeria.
The presidential candidate of the Labour Party made the remarks on Tuesday in a statement titled, “By making excuses for unverified certificates, we are planting poison in the soul of our society”.
The statement comes after the Independent National Electoral Commission released the names and credentials of presidential and vice-presidential candidates for the 2027 election.
Obi said the issue should be viewed beyond political loyalty, arguing that the integrity of the process through which individuals attain positions of responsibility is as important as their performance in office. He warned that normalising unverified credentials could create dangerous precedents, including people occupying professional positions without the required qualifications.
He called for a society where standards are applied equally and accountability is not influenced by political affiliation, insisting that Nigeria must prioritise truth and integrity over political convenience.
