According to a report published by LEADERSHIP on Thursday, October 29, 2026, Peter Obi, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate for the 2027 general election, has pledged to punish individuals involved in certificate forgery and electoral manipulation if he becomes president.
Obi said his administration would enforce strict laws to ensure that candidates seeking elective positions meet the required educational standards. He stressed that anyone aspiring to public office must have attended both primary and secondary school, adding that those who falsify academic qualifications would face legal consequences.
The former presidential candidate explained that his government would prioritise accountability, integrity and compliance with the law in the country’s political system. According to him, individuals who deliberately misrepresent their educational backgrounds to qualify for elections would not be spared from prosecution.
Obi made it clear that presenting forged academic certificates would attract imprisonment under his proposed administration. He maintained that candidates must be able to demonstrate that they obtained their educational qualifications legitimately rather than relying on falsified documents to secure political positions.
He stated, “For you to contest election, you must have attended a primary school, you must have attended a secondary school and it will be visible, it will be clear. If you didn’t attend any of them or forge your certificate, you go to jail.”
Beyond the issue of academic qualifications, Obi also warned officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other individuals responsible for conducting elections against manipulating results. He said anyone found guilty of interfering with the electoral process under his administration would face imprisonment.
The NDC candidate emphasised that electoral malpractice would not be tolerated, insisting that those who undermine the credibility of elections must be held accountable for their actions. His position highlights the importance of transparency and fairness in determining the outcome of elections in Nigeria.
Obi’s remarks come as political activities gradually build ahead of the 2027 general election, with discussions surrounding electoral reforms, candidates’ qualifications and the credibility of the voting process remaining important issues in the country’s political landscape.
His proposed approach focuses on strengthening compliance with electoral laws and ensuring that public officials are held responsible for misconduct. However, the implementation of such measures would depend on the applicable laws, established legal procedures and the institutions responsible for enforcing them.
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