Certificate Forgery Threatens Nation’s Integrity, Says Peter Obi

Daniel Otera
3 Min Read

 

Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, has strongly condemned the rising incidence of certificate forgery, warning that it could normalise criminality in Nigeria. His comments came in response to revelations about the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Uche Nnaji, who admitted he never completed his university studies or received a degree certificate from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).

Obi called for urgent legal action against those found guilty of presenting false academic credentials, emphasising that this was not merely a procedural issue but a serious criminal offence.

According to an investigative report by Premium Times, Nnaji’s degree from UNN was disavowed by the institution. Court documents indicated that Nnaji filed a lawsuit against various officials, including the Minister of Education and the Vice-Chancellor of UNN, Professor Simon Ortuanya, over his unissued certificate. Nnaji himself reportedly acknowledged that the university never awarded him a degree.

Obi criticised the failure of Nigerian authorities to address the widespread issue, pointing to the actions of electoral bodies in other countries, such as Indonesia, where candidates with forged qualifications are immediately disqualified and prosecuted. “In my country, though the laws are the same as elsewhere, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) overlooks these matters, dismissing them as ‘pre-election issues’ and failing to enforce penalties,” Obi stated.

The former Anambra Governor expressed concern over how public figures, particularly those in government, model dishonest behaviour. He warned that this erodes the moral standards of the nation and sets a damaging precedent for young Nigerians.

As Nigeria gears up for the 2027 general elections, Obi proposed that all political aspirants be required to submit their academic certificates to INEC immediately following party primaries. He called for a system that would make these credentials publicly available for verification within 90 days. This, he argued, would prevent fraudulent candidates from contesting and ensure that leadership begins with integrity.

“Criminal offences should not be dismissed as a mere procedural matter,” Obi stressed. “We must end the era where forgery and deceit are rewarded with power.”

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