Peter Obi Breaks Silence on Academic Credentials

Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, has broken his silence over the legal scrutiny of his academic and National Youth Service Corps credentials, saying he has no objection to legitimate public examination of his records.

Obi’s response follows three separate suits filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja by a Labour Party chieftain, Mr Abayomi Arabambi, seeking orders compelling the West African Examinations Council, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and the National Youth Service Corps to release official records relating to the NDC presidential candidate.

The suits were filed under the Freedom of Information Act, 2011. In the case involving UNN, Arabambi is seeking access to a Certified True Copy of Certificate Number D000198, said to relate to a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy awarded to Obi in 1984, as well as associated academic and degree-award records.

In his response, Obi said he has no objection to UNN and other institutions he attended releasing his academic records through lawful procedures.

He said anyone seeking the highest political office should be prepared to undergo reasonable scrutiny and demonstrate transparency to the public.

The former Anambra State governor also challenged other presidential candidates to subject their educational qualifications and relevant records to legitimate public scrutiny, arguing that openness would strengthen public confidence, accountability and trust in political leadership.

Obi had previously called on INEC to publish candidates’ academic credentials as a way of strengthening confidence in the electoral process.