Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has called for the prosecution of government officials found to have forged certificates.

This came after a recent report unearthed some interesting facts about Uche Nnaji, the Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation. It turns out that the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, disowned his Bachelor of Science degree, claiming he never completed his studies there and was never issued a certificate.

According to court documents filed in Abuja, Nnaji admitted that the university never handed him a degree certificate. He even took legal action, suing several officials of the university, including the Vice-Chancellor and the Registrar, demanding that he be given his academic transcript. The court agreed to some of his requests but refused to block the university from withholding the documents. The case is set to continue on October 6.

Reacting, Obi recounted a conversation with Indonesia’s electoral authorities in which forged or falsely claimed qualifications attract immediate disqualification and prosecution.

“But in my country Nigeria, though the laws are same as in other countries, that forgery is punished by immediate disqualification, the Independent National Electoral Commission makes no effort to scrutinize certificates before the elections, over looks complaints of forgery and when you challenged after the elections, court will dismiss the serious criminal issues as ‘pre-election matters’ without giving this criminal act appropriate punishment,” Obi said.

“INEC, even after the elections, does not bother to revisit or investigate these serious offences before the next election.

“The other concerning issue from all these is how criminals and dishonest people scale through all the scrutiny layers -security, parliament and government apparatus set to handle such.

“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.”

Looking ahead to the 2027 general elections, Obi proposed that all aspirants submit academic certificates to the electoral body immediately after party primaries.

He said, “We are now preparing for the 2027 general elections. INEC have enough time to investigate past complaints about various forms of forgery and false claims.

“Our Electoral amendments must include that anyone intending to contest for any public office, whether an incumbent or a new candidate, must submit all academic certificates to the electoral body immediately after party primaries, at least six months before the election.

“These certificates, alongside details of schools attended, what was studied and years of study, should be made public for verification within 90 days.

“This process must also apply to appointed officials, Ministers and even aides, because when dishonesty starts from the top, it spreads to every level of governance, just like it’s happening now.”

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

ASA