{"id":122889,"date":"2025-10-10T01:09:35","date_gmt":"2025-10-10T00:09:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/?p=122889"},"modified":"2025-10-10T01:09:35","modified_gmt":"2025-10-10T00:09:35","slug":"certificate-scandal-inec-must-verify-certificates-of-candidates-obi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/news\/certificate-scandal-inec-must-verify-certificates-of-candidates-obi\/","title":{"rendered":"Certificate Scandal: INEC must verify certificates of candidates \u2013 Obi"},"content":{"rendered":"
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By Myke Agunwa, Abuja<\/div>\n
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Following the certificate scam around the immediate past Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Uche Nnaji, Labour Party\u2019s presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Mr Peter Obi, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other relevant agencies to verify and authenticate the academic and professional certificates of all candidates.<\/div>\n
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He urged INEC to begin immediate verification of certificates submitted by all candidates \u2014 from the president down to local government councillors \u2014 to ensure integrity in the 2027 elections.<\/div>\n
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In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, titled \u201cCertificate Integrity and the Future of Nigerian Leadership,\u201d Obi said the credibility of Nigeria\u2019s democracy depends on truth and transparency in leadership selection.<\/div>\n
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He however, commended the resignation of the ex-Minister, describing it as \u201ca decent and honourable step.\u201d He also recalled that former Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, resigned under similar circumstances during President Muhammadu Buhari\u2019s administration.<\/div>\n
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\u201cThese instances remind us that such matters are not trivial; they constitute serious criminal offences.<\/div>\n
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\u201cIt is appalling that our electoral body carries out little or no due diligence in confirming certificates submitted by candidates. Continuous discrepancies, false declarations, and forged credentials undermine the credibility of our democracy,\u201d he stated.<\/div>\n
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The former Anambra State governor stressed that truth, transparency, and accountability must form the foundation of Nigeria\u2019s leadership, noting that only then can public service be anchored on honour rather than deceit.<\/div>\n
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Obi also called for a comprehensive national review of the qualification and background verification process for all public office holders, citing Ghana as an example of a country that thoroughly cross-checks candidates\u2019 educational claims before elections.<\/div>\n
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\u201cINEC has enough time to investigate past complaints about various forms of forgery and false claims. Every incumbent and aspiring candidate must submit all academic certificates immediately for verification and public accessibility,\u201d he added.<\/div>\n
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