The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Peter Obi, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to publish the academic certificates and credentials submitted by all candidates seeking elective offices, saying such a move would strengthen transparency and public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process.
Obi made the call in a post on his Facebook page on Tuesday while reflecting on questions contained in the INEC nomination form he completed.
According to him, one of the questions in Section E of the form asks whether a candidate has ever been adjudged a lunatic or declared a person of unsound mind, prompting him to question whether Nigeria’s political leaders are demonstrating the qualities of sound-minded leadership.
He argued that the country’s pressing security and economic challenges should take priority over political activities.
“When Nigerians, including children and security personnel, are being abducted into the bushes, citizens cannot travel safely on our highways, several million Nigerians are uncertain where their next meal will come from, and several billions are being siphoned frivolously through non-existent agencies and projects, should politics really be our primary preoccupation?” he asked.
Obi maintained that a responsible leadership would declare the nation’s security and humanitarian crises a national emergency and mobilise all relevant institutions, security agencies, experts, community leaders and stakeholders to tackle them urgently.
He said the country’s survival, security and stability should take precedence over partisan politics and political calculations.
The former Anambra State governor also drew attention to another question in the nomination form asking whether a candidate had ever presented a forged certificate to INEC.
He questioned why the electoral commission should not, in the interest of transparency and accountability, make public the academic certificates and credentials submitted by all candidates contesting elections.
“Transparency strengthens democracy and builds public trust. Nigeria’s problems are too serious for politics as usual. It is time for leadership defined by competence, character, capacity, compassion, and commitment to service,” Obi stated.
He concluded his message with his familiar campaign slogan: “A New Nigeria is POssible.”
