Peter Obi demands stern punishment for politicians with forged academic certificate

The Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, has called for stern punishment for politicians with forged academic certificates.

In a post on his verified X handle on Monday, Obi stressed the need to end the era where forgery and deceit are rewarded with power, adding that true leadership must begin with truth.

He lamented that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, makes little or no effort to scrutinize certificates before the elections.

“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?

“Certificate forgery is a serious criminal offence in all countries of the world. It is one of the most corrupt practices heavily punished.

“We are now preparing for the 2027 general elections. INEC have enough time to investigate past complaints about various forms of forgery and false claims.

“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.

“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,” he wrote.