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…Says “True Leadership Must Begin with Truth”

The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi, has raised strong concerns over what he described as the growing normalization of criminality in Nigeria’s political and public life, warning that the nation is fast becoming a “crime scene” where dishonesty and corruption are rewarded instead of punished.

In a powerful statement posted on his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle, the former Anambra State governor lamented the pervasive culture of impunity that allows individuals with questionable integrity to occupy positions of public trust, undermining national values and eroding the moral fabric of society.

“Whenever I talk about Nigeria being a crime scene,” Obi began, “those who are part of the criminality and their hirelings will quickly start their noise-making, attacking and blackmailing me. But how do you tell people that those whose integrity, character and behaviour are supposed to be exemplary and emulated in society have become the very source of the nation’s decay?”

He questioned how the country could expect young Nigerians to live honestly when “those they are supposed to emulate are the least to be emulated because they are criminals and dishonest.”

Obi identified certificate forgery as one of the most dangerous and widespread forms of corruption undermining Nigeria’s governance system, stressing that the act constitutes a “serious criminal offence in all countries of the world” and “is one of the most corrupt practices heavily punished.”

Recalling a recent visit to Indonesia, Obi said he held discussions with top government officials, including the President, Vice President, and the Chairman of the General Elections Commission, to understand the country’s governance and electoral systems. According to him, Indonesia treats certificate forgery with utmost seriousness.

“I asked him about the educational qualifications required to participate in elections,” Obi said. “He openly stated these qualifications to me. My team and I then asked a simple question: What happens if someone contests for public office with a forged certificate or did not attend the school he claimed he attended? He looked at me, surprised and shocked, and said, ‘That attracts immediate disqualification and prosecution. It is a criminal offence.’ He added, ‘If someone can forge a certificate, how can that person be trusted to lead others?’”

Contrasting that with Nigeria’s reality, Obi expressed deep frustration at the failure of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the judiciary to act decisively against proven cases of forgery.

“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 (INEC) makes no effort to scrutinize certificates before the elections, overlooks complaints of forgery, and when you challenge it after the elections, court will dismiss the serious criminal issues as ‘pre-election matters’ without giving this criminal act appropriate punishment,” he lamented.

He faulted INEC for its apparent indifference even after elections, noting that “INEC, even after the elections, does not bother to revisit or investigate these serious offences before the next election.”

According to Obi, this institutional negligence has created a dangerous precedent where “criminals and dishonest people scale through all the scrutiny layers — security, parliament, and government apparatus set to handle such.”

“What is even more disturbing,” he added, “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 called on INEC to use the time available to investigate existing complaints about certificate forgery and false claims made by politicians and public office seekers. He also proposed urgent amendments to the Electoral Act to strengthen transparency and accountability in the electoral process.

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

He emphasized that such scrutiny should not be limited to politicians alone but extended to appointed officials. “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 called for a holistic approach to dealing with forgery, urging Nigerians and the government to treat it with “the seriousness and level of criminality it deserves.” He warned against dismissing criminal offences as mere procedural irregularities, insisting that “we must end the era where forgery and deceit are rewarded with power.”

In his closing message, Obi reaffirmed his belief in integrity as the foundation for rebuilding Nigeria. “True leadership must begin with truth,” he declared, expressing hope that through honesty and accountability, a better nation can be achieved.

“A New Nigeria is POssible,” he concluded, signing off with his well-known slogan that continues to inspire many Nigerians yearning for genuine change.

StreetReporters.ng

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