‘Release candidates’ academic credentials on portal’ — Peter Obi tells INEC

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to release the academic documents submitted by all candidates who wish to vie for election.

Obi made this statement after deliberating on issues raised in the INEC nomination form concerning the mental capability of the candidates and their credibility in academic credentials.

He felt that releasing the academic documents of candidates would promote transparency in the electoral process of the country.

Questioning why such documents should remain confidential, Obi said: “Have you ever presented a forged certificate to INEC? Again, the answer is either Yes or No. This raises another important question: Why shouldn’t INEC, in the interest of ensuring that our leaders are exemplary in following the rules and to strengthen public confidence in our electoral process, publish the academic certificates and credentials submitted by every candidate seeking elective office?”

He added: “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 also highlighted section E, question 1 of the nomination form where the form queries the candidate regarding being declared to be of unsound mind, noting that this is an issue that questions the good judgement of Nigeria’s political leaders.

He noted that the ongoing security issues, kidnappings, dangerous road conditions, hunger, and corruption among other factors indicate that political leaders are drifting away from the country’s real problems.

In his opinion, responsible leadership will see the security and economic problems in Nigeria as an emergency situation and thus use all institutions concerned to solve the problem.

The ex-Anambra governor asserted that the issues of survival and safety of the nation should come first rather than any political gain because the country needs competent, compassionate, and committed leaders.

Previously, Dickson confirmed that Obi’s name has been uploaded on INEC portal even after the court ruling of invalidating the registration process of the opposition party.

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