Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has issued a stern warning on the dangers of normalising crime in Nigeria, citing certificate forgery as a particularly egregious example. Obi made the remarks while addressing the growing culture of dishonesty among public officials, highlighting the need for systemic reforms in the electoral process.
Obi referenced the ongoing controversy involving Uche Nnaji, whose academic credentials have been challenged as part of broader allegations of certificate forgery. He described certificate forgery as a serious criminal offence worldwide and criticised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for failing to rigorously scrutinise candidates’ documents, even when formal complaints are raised.
“Certificate forgery is heavily punished in every country. In Indonesia, for example, anyone contesting elections with forged documents faces immediate disqualification and prosecution,” Obi said, recalling his visit to the Southeast Asian nation earlier this year. “Yet in Nigeria, the same laws exist, but enforcement is weak. Complaints are overlooked, courts dismiss them as pre-election matters, and INEC does not revisit offences after elections.”
Obi stressed that dishonesty at the top levels of government sets a dangerous example for young Nigerians. “How do you tell young people to be honest when those they are meant to emulate are themselves dishonest?” he asked.
He proposed comprehensive reforms for the 2027 general elections, including mandatory submission of academic certificates by all candidates—incumbent or new—immediately after party primaries, with public verification within 90 days. Obi also recommended extending this requirement to appointed officials and ministers to ensure accountability across government.
“Our electoral system must treat certificate forgery with the seriousness it deserves,” Obi said. “Criminal offences should not be dismissed as procedural matters. Leadership must begin with truth.”
The former presidential candidate concluded on an optimistic note, urging Nigerians to demand integrity from those seeking public office.
