Former Anambra State Governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has called on relevant government agencies to begin immediate and thorough verification and authentication of all academic and professional certificates submitted by political candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a post shared on his X (Twitter) handle on Thursday, Obi reacted to the alleged certificate forgery scandal involving the recently resigned Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Uche Nnaji, describing the incident as another blow to Nigeria’s integrity standards.

He lamented that the nation continues to tolerate dishonesty and criminality within its leadership, blaming the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for failing to diligently verify documents submitted by candidates.

“If Nigeria truly desires a free, fair, and credible 2027 election, the process of integrity must begin now,” Obi stated.

The Labour Party flag bearer commended Nnaji’s resignation, calling it an honourable act, and drew parallels with former Finance Minister Kemi Adeosun, who stepped down in 2018 over her NYSC certificate controversy.

“These matters are not trivial; they are serious criminal offences,” Obi warned.

He also urged INEC and other institutions to undertake a comprehensive national review of qualification and background checks for all public office holders, citing Ghana as a positive example where authorities verify candidates’ educational claims before elections.

Obi further demanded that INEC investigate all pending forgery and false declaration complaints and make candidates’ academic records publicly accessible to promote transparency.

 “Let truth, transparency, and accountability form the foundation of leadership in our country. Only then can we build a Nigeria where public service is anchored on honour, not deceit. We must get it right,” he concluded.