Release my academic records, I have nothing to hide, Obi tells UNN

Peter Obi, the candidate for the presidency from the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), says there is nothing for him to hide, daring anyone concerned with his history to release any official information about him, which could include his academic and other papers which might be located abroad.

This was in response to questions raised by the Nigeria Ambassador-designate to Mexico, Reno Omokri, who accused presidential candidates in Nigeria of having FBI files during an interview on 90 Minutes Africa.

Responding to the question, the former Anambra State governor said he was unaware of having any file with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and denied ever having dealings with the agency.

“I don’t know. I’ve never met the FBI,” Obi said.

He maintained that he was prepared to subject himself to comprehensive public scrutiny, arguing that anyone seeking public office should be willing to have their records examined.

Obi specifically said he intended to ask the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), to make available all documents contained in his academic file, including records relating to his admission and academic performance throughout his university education.

“I’m begging the University of Nigeria to make available every document in my file, how I was admitted and all my results from year one to final year,” he said.

The former governor also extended the call to institutions where he attended executive education programmes.

He mentioned Lagos Business School, the London School of Economics, Columbia Business School, Kellogg School of Management, Harvard Business School, Oxford, Cambridge, INSEAD and IMD.

According to Obi, all relevant records from the institutions should be open to public examination as part of efforts to establish transparency among political leaders.

“If you seek public life, you should subject yourself to public scrutiny because you are a leader and you must exemplify the values that make society work,” he said.

Obi also challenged other presidential candidates to adopt the same approach by making their records available for public scrutiny.

He argued that candidates who have made mistakes in the past should be willing to acknowledge and explain them to Nigerians rather than conceal such issues.

The NDC candidate’s comments come amid increasing scrutiny of the backgrounds, qualifications and records of politicians positioning themselves for the 2027 presidential election.