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In a first of its kind, Peter Obi, the newly affirmed presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has formally called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately make public the academic certificates and credentials submitted by all candidates seeking elective office in the upcoming 2027 general elections.
The demand, aimed at curbing identity and credential controversies before the polls, marks Obi’s first major policy challenge to the electoral umpire since securing the NDC ticket.
A Push for Institutional Accountability
Speaking to journalists in Abuja, Obi emphasized that transparency regarding the educational backgrounds of those seeking the highest offices in the land is a non-negotiable prerequisite for disciplined governance which is a core pillar of NDC, his new party.
“Nigerians deserve to know exactly who is asking for their mandate. We cannot afford to enter another election cycle clouded by doubts, endless litigations, and international embarrassment over the basic credentials of our leaders,” Obi stated. He challenged INEC to upload the submitted documents to a publicly accessible, unalterable digital portal well ahead of the January 2027 elections.
Preempting Past Controversies
The call comes against the backdrop of the intense legal and political firestorms that defined the aftermath of the 2023 elections. Following that cycle, the nation witnessed unprecedented scrutiny over candidate credentials, most notably the protracted domestic and international legal battles surrounding President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Chicago State University records.
By demanding proactive disclosure, Obi aims to force INEC’s hand, shifting the burden of verification from post-election tribunals to the pre-election phase.
Why it matters: In previous cycles, civil society groups and opposition parties had to rely on the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act or international subpoenas to access candidate records, often months after the swearing-in ceremonies.
The NDC Factor
This bold demand underscores the aggressive anti-corruption stance of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). Founded in February 2026 by former Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson, the NDC was established in response to widespread demands for long-term national planning and strict institutional accountability.
Obi, who ran a highly influential, youth-driven campaign under the Labour Party in 2023, emerged as the NDC’s consensus presidential candidate on May 29, 2026, after a strategic defection. His move consolidated the opposition, effectively setting the stage for a high-stakes showdown against the ruling party next year.
INEC has not yet issued an official response to the NDC flagbearer’s demand. However, legal experts note that while the Electoral Act empowers INEC to receive these documents, publishing them openly on a digital portal would require a deliberate policy shift by the commission’s leadership.
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