Photo File: Peter Obi

Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has called for the prosecution of public officials found guilty of certificate forgery, warning that the practice risks entrenching criminality in Nigeria’s governance system.

Obi, in a statement on Monday, was reacting to media reports alleging that Uche Nnaji, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, admitted in court that he never earned a university degree despite possessing a certificate purporting to be from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).

An investigative report by Premium Times revealed that UNN had disowned the certificate presented by Nnaji, stating that the minister did not complete his studies at the institution and was never issued a degree. According to court filings before Justice Hauwa Yilwa of the Federal High Court in Abuja, Nnaji himself acknowledged that the university never awarded him the certificate in question.

The Labour Party leader lamented that those expected to model integrity have become “the very source of the nation’s decay”, warning that dishonest conduct by public officials undermines the moral foundation for younger generations.

Citing his discussions with Indonesian electoral authorities, Obi noted that falsifying qualifications in that country leads to immediate disqualification and prosecution. By contrast, he said, Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) often fails to vet credentials or follow up on forgery allegations, while courts dismiss such cases as “pre-election matters”.

“Even more disturbing, amounting to double tragedy, is that most of these dishonest people swore to an affidavit before a law court attesting to the authenticity of the documents they presented,” Obi said.

Looking ahead to the 2027 elections, the former Anambra governor urged reforms to ensure greater scrutiny of political aspirants and appointees. He proposed that all candidates be required to submit academic certificates to INEC immediately after party primaries, at least six months before elections, with details of schools, courses and study years made public for a 90-day verification period.

He further argued that the process should extend beyond elected politicians to appointed officials, including ministers and aides.

“Criminal offences should not be dismissed as a mere procedural matter,” Obi stressed.  “We must end the era where forgery and deceit are rewarded with power. True leadership must begin with truth.”