The 2023 presidential candidate for the Labour Party has condemned the alleged certificate forgery by the Minister of Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji.
Obi in a statement on Monday said that such an act reflects the danger of allowing criminal activities to become a norm in any society.
Recall that Nnaji has been under the radar over allegations of forging his university degree certificate, supposedly obtained from the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
Despite outrage by critics that Nnaji did not complete both his bachelor’s degree and the mandatory one-year National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), the Senate had gone ahead to confirm his nomination as a minister of the Federal Republic by the president.
However, reacting to a new wave of these allegations, Obi described Nigeria as a crime scene littered with individuals who are ever ready to attack and blackmail those who do not align with their criminal activities.
The former governor expressed concern over the fact that those responsible for upholding character and integrity are now entangled in allegations of serious crimes, such as certificate forgery.
“How do you tell young Nigerians to be honest and upright when those they are supposed to emulate are the least to be emulated because they are criminals and dishonest?” Obi queried.
Also, describing certificate forgery as a serious criminal offence in all countries of the world, Obi said such an act is one of the most corrupt practices heavily punished.
He further accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of constantly failing to make any effort towards scrutinising certificates before the elections.
According to Obi, the electoral body has specialised in overlooking complaints of forgery and when challenged after the elections, the courts will double down by dismissing the serious criminal issues as “pre-election matters” without giving this criminal act appropriate punishment.
In addition, Obi urged INEC to take the time out to investigate past complaints on various forms of forgery and false claims before the next elections which is scheduled to take place in 2027.
“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.
“We must deal with certificate forgery holistically with the seriousness and level of criminality it deserves. 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,” Obi said.