National Leader of the Labor Party, Peter Obi, has said forgery of certificates among public officials undermines Nigeria’s democracy, stressing that the integrity of leaders begins with honesty in their academic and professional claims.
Obi stated this while reacting to the resignation of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, who resigned following controversies over alleged discrepancies in his academic credentials.
Nnaji, appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in August 2023, resigned earlier this week after an investigative report by Premium Times alleged that he submitted falsified academic and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificates to the Senate during his ministerial review.
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In a statement shared on his X account (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, Obi praised the minister’s resignation, describing it as “a decent and honorable step” that reinforces accountability in public office.
“It is commendable that the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Mr. Uche Nnaji, has resigned following the controversy surrounding discrepancies in his academic certificates. It is a decent and honorable step. These cases remind us that these matters are not trivial; they constitute serious criminal offences,” Obi said.
Obi called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and relevant agencies to start verifying the academic and professional certificates of all political candidates before the 2027 general elections to avoid further certificate forgery scandals.
He urged that the verification process should cover all elected positions, from the presidency to local government councillors, and insisted that dishonesty and falsification should have no place in the leadership.
“As a matter of urgency, now is the time to conduct a comprehensive national review of the qualification and background check process for all public office holders.
“Other nations, such as Ghana, have set an example by thoroughly verifying the educational claims and credentials of all candidates before elections. Nigeria must do no less.
“Continued discrepancies, false statements and falsified credentials undermine the credibility of our democracy. If we truly want free, fair and credible elections in 2027, the integrity process must begin now,” he said.
Obi further called for public access to the academic records of all incumbent and aspiring public officials, noting that transparency remains the foundation of credible leadership.
“Let truth, transparency and accountability form the basis of leadership in our dear country. Only then can we build a Nigeria where public service is based on honor and not deceit. We must get it right,” he concluded..
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