By Chidimma Okwara,
Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi, has called for significant electoral reforms, with a strong emphasis on the mandatory verification of academic certificates of all candidates by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
This call comes in the wake of a recent certificate forgery scandal involving a serving minister, which has reignited national conversations around leadership, integrity, and the sanctity of the electoral process.
In a statement released on October 6, 2025, Mr. Obi lamented the prevalence of certificate forgery among public office holders, describing it as a serious criminal offense that undermines the nation’s credibility. He expressed disappointment that individuals who should serve as role models are often embroiled in scandals of dishonesty.
“Certificate forgery is a serious criminal offence in all countries of the world. It is one of the most corrupt practices heavily punished,” Obi stated. He questioned how young Nigerians can be encouraged to be honest when leaders are not held to the same standard.
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To curb this trend, the former Anambra State governor proposed a crucial amendment to the Nigerian electoral laws. “Ahead of the 2027 general election, Nigeria must amend its electoral laws to include mandatory submission of all academic certificates by all contestants for any elective office at least six months before the election,” he urged.
Obi further suggested that “these certificates, alongside details of schools attended, what was studied and years of study, should be made public for verification within 90 days.” He stressed that this rigorous process must also apply to appointed officials, including ministers and their aides, to ensure that integrity permeates all levels of government.
Directly addressing the role of the electoral body, Mr. Obi criticized INEC for what he described as its failure to adequately address complaints of forgery. He noted that even when such issues are raised, they are often dismissed by the courts as “pre-election matters,” allowing individuals with questionable credentials to assume public office.
“INEC, even after the elections, does not bother to revisit or investigate these serious offences before the next election,” he asserted.
The Current Legal Framework and INEC’s Role
Under the current Electoral Act, the responsibility for verifying candidates’ credentials largely rests with their respective political parties. While candidates are required to submit their qualifications to INEC, the electoral commission’s power to disqualify candidates based on forged certificates has been a subject of legal debate. Typically, issues of qualification and certificate authenticity are treated as pre-election matters that are to be challenged in court by opposing candidates or parties.
Legal analysts have pointed out that the Nigerian constitution and the Electoral Act do not explicitly mandate INEC to independently verify the authenticity of every certificate submitted by candidates. This has created a loophole that has been exploited over the years.
Reactions and a Call for Broader Reforms
Mr. Obi’s call has been met with a mix of reactions. A faction of his own Labour Party has, in the past, questioned the authenticity of his academic records, highlighting the politically charged nature of such allegations. The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has previously dismissed his concerns as attempts to seek media attention.
However, civil society organizations have largely aligned with the need for more stringent electoral reforms. Many have been advocating for a more transparent and accountable process in the lead-up to the 2027 elections. They argue that a robust verification system is crucial for restoring public trust in the electoral process and ensuring that only credible individuals are elected into public office.
As of the time of this report, INEC has not issued an official response to Mr. Obi’s latest call for the mandatory vetting of all candidates’ certificates. The renewed focus on this issue is expected to intensify the push for electoral reforms as the nation prepares for its next election cycle.
