By Admin

Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission to make public the academic qualifications and credentials submitted by all candidates seeking elective office in Nigeria, arguing that transparency is essential to strengthening public trust in the country's electoral process.

Obi made the call on Tuesday in a post shared on his social media platforms while reflecting on portions of the nomination forms completed by candidates aspiring to contest elections under INEC's guidelines.

According to the former governor of Anambra State, one section of the nomination form asks candidates whether they have ever been adjudged mentally unfit or declared to be of unsound mind by a competent authority.

The question, Obi said, prompted broader reflections about the quality of leadership currently being provided in the country amid worsening economic hardship and insecurity.

He questioned whether politics should dominate national discourse at a time when Nigerians continue to grapple with kidnappings, violent attacks, rising poverty and food insecurity.

"When citizens cannot travel safely on highways, security personnel and children are being abducted, and millions remain uncertain about their next meal, national attention should be focused on solving these urgent problems rather than endless political calculations," Obi argued.

The former presidential candidate maintained that a responsive government would treat the country's security and humanitarian challenges as a national emergency and mobilise all relevant institutions, security agencies, experts and community leaders towards finding lasting solutions.

Obi also drew attention to another question contained in the nomination form regarding whether a candidate had ever submitted forged certificates to INEC, insisting that the issue underscores the need for greater openness in the electoral process.

He argued that if candidates are required to submit academic qualifications and other credentials to the electoral body, the public should equally have access to such information to independently assess those seeking public office.

According to him, publishing candidates' certificates and credentials would improve accountability, strengthen democracy and deepen citizens' confidence in the electoral system.

"Transparency strengthens democracy and builds public trust. Nigeria's challenges are too serious for politics as usual. What the country requires is leadership driven by competence, character, capacity, compassion and commitment to service," Obi stated.