Development and economic expert, Dr. Taofiq Raimi, has criticised the presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, over his recent comments accusing university professors of helping illiterates become president.
Speaking on Arise News, Raimi accused Obi of making an “unqualified generalisation” by referring broadly to professors, arguing that misconduct by some individuals should not be attributed to the entire academic community.
Raimi further claimed that Obi’s reference to “illiterates” was also applicable to him, noting that the former Anambra State governor is currently seeking to contest the 2027 presidential election.
“Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of NDC, has continued to generalise. You can’t say professors. He has committed a fallacy called unqualified generalisation,” Raimi said.
“He said professors, how many of them? There are bad eggs everywhere, even in journalism, even in acting.”
His comments followed remarks by Obi at the 2026 Goodluck Jonathan Foundation Democracy Dialogue in Bauchi, where the former presidential candidate raised concerns about the state of Nigeria’s electoral and judicial institutions.
Obi accused academics of facilitating electoral malpractice, legislators of undermining electoral regulations and some prominent lawyers of supporting forgery.
Reflecting on his own experience of challenging election results in court, Obi said the perceived decline of key institutions posed a serious threat to Nigeria’s democracy.
Raimi, however, rejected Obi’s generalisation and argued that allegations against individuals should not be used to condemn entire professional groups.
He added that the existence of misconduct in any profession did not mean all members of that profession were culpable.
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