Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for an alleged attempt to prevent the disclosure of records relating to his past, saying the presidency must be an example of integrity, accountability and transparency.
Obi made the remarks in a statement posted on his official Facebook page on Sunday, where he expressed concern over what he described as the direction of the country under the current administration.
The former governor of Anambra State said he was deeply embarrassed that a sitting Nigerian president was asking a foreign court to withhold records relating to his past, particularly matters he described as being of legitimate public interest.
According to Obi, political leadership requires the courage to confront one’s history rather than shield its controversial aspects from public scrutiny.
“Leadership, in my humble opinion, requires the courage and humility to confront one’s history, acknowledge mistakes, provide honest explanations when questions arise, and, when necessary, apologize and seek forgiveness,” he said.
He argued that accepting responsibility for mistakes would strengthen, rather than diminish, the authority of a political leader.
Obi’s comments come amid continued public interest in issues relating to President Tinubu’s history and educational records. He said these issues, particularly those related to primary and secondary education, should be resolved through clear and verifiable explanations and not primarily through legal procedures.
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“This becomes particularly important when the issues concern educational credentials. Issues related to basic education, primary and secondary, should not be left unresolved or addressed primarily through legal procedures,” Obi said.
He argued that Nigerians deserved “clear, credible and verifiable explanations”, particularly when the information had previously been presented in official records.
The NDC presidential candidate said his main concern was not only the controversy itself but also the example it could set for Nigerians, especially the youth.
“My biggest concern is the example this sets for more than 200 million Nigerians, particularly the more than 30 million young people who attend schools,” he said.
According to him, the highest political office in the country must demonstrate the values of integrity, responsibility, transparency and ethical leadership.
Obi also urged political leaders to recognize that personal ambitions are temporary, while the Nigerian nation is durable.
He said an imperfect past should not necessarily define an individual, arguing that what matters is the willingness to confront past mistakes with honesty and humility, make amends when necessary and put the national interest before personal ambition.
“When will our political class fully understand that individual ambitions are temporary, while the nation endures?” asked.
“The Presidency is a temporary office; the moral standards established by those who occupy it can influence generations.”
Obi, who is seeking the presidency on the NDC platform ahead of the 2027 general elections, concluded by stressing that the interests of Nigeria must take priority over those of any individual.
“Nigeria is bigger than any person and the integrity of the Republic must always come before the interests of the individual,” he said.
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