The Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, has urged authorities to enforce stricter penalties against politicians caught with forged certificates.
In a post shared on his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle on Monday, Obi emphasized that true leadership must begin with truth, not deceit. He said Nigeria must put an end to the era where dishonesty and forgery are rewarded with political power.
He also criticized the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for failing to properly verify candidates’ credentials before elections, noting that the commission has enough time before the 2027 general elections to investigate all past complaints about fake certificates and false claims.
“How do we tell young Nigerians to be honest and upright when those they are meant to look up to are the least honest among us?” Obi questioned. “Certificate forgery is a serious criminal offence in every part of the world. It should never be taken lightly.”
He further suggested that electoral reforms should require all candidates — whether incumbents or new aspirants — to submit their academic certificates immediately after party primaries, at least six months before the elections.
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“We must deal with certificate forgery with the seriousness it deserves,” Obi said. “Criminal offences should not be dismissed as procedural issues. The era where forgery and deceit are rewarded with power must end. True leadership starts with truth.”
