The Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, has called for strict punishment for politicians who present forged academic certificates.
In a post on his verified X handle on Monday, Obi decried the culture where forgery and deceit are overlooked and often rewarded with political power. He insisted that true leadership must be built on truth and integrity.
“How do you tell young Nigerians to be honest and upright when those they are supposed to emulate are the least to be emulated because they are criminals and dishonest?” Obi asked.
He emphasized that certificate forgery is a grave criminal offence globally, heavily punished in other countries, yet treated with levity in Nigeria.
Obi urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to begin scrutinizing candidates’ credentials thoroughly ahead of the 2027 polls. According to him, the electoral umpire has enough time to investigate past complaints of forgery and false claims.
He also proposed an amendment to electoral laws mandating that all candidates, including incumbents, must submit their academic certificates to INEC immediately after party primaries, at least six months before elections.
“We must deal with certificate forgery holistically with the seriousness and level of criminality it deserves. Criminal offences should not be dismissed as a mere procedural matter. We must end the era where forgery and deceit are rewarded with power. True leadership must begin with truth,” Obi wrote.
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