Reported by: Ime Richard Aondofa | Edited by: Henry Owen
As Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections, a troubling reality continues to haunt its political and institutional framework — the quiet normalization of criminal behavior among the elite. Former presidential candidate and leader of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi, recently reignited public debate after raising concerns about the unchecked rise of certificate forgery, dishonesty, and corruption among individuals occupying public offices.
In a country where leadership is expected to reflect integrity, Obi’s remarks expose a deeper rot — one that investigative findings over the years have consistently revealed but rarely addressed. His position is clear: Nigeria has dangerously drifted into a state where crime has become culture, and moral decay among the elite is celebrated rather than punished.
“Whenever I talk about Nigeria being a crime scene, those who are part of the criminality and their hirelings will start attacking and blackmailing me,” Obi lamented. “But how do you tell young Nigerians to be honest when those they are supposed to emulate are the least to be emulated because they are dishonest and criminal?”
Forgery and the Failure of Institutions
Certificate forgery — one of the most blatant forms of corruption — remains rampant within Nigeria’s political class. Investigations by civic groups and independent journalists have over time unearthed numerous cases of politicians presenting questionable academic credentials during elections. Yet, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has repeatedly failed to enforce thorough verification processes, even when presented with credible petitions.
Obi compared Nigeria’s lax enforcement to international standards, citing his recent visit to Indonesia, where electoral integrity is strictly upheld. According to him, the Indonesian General Elections Commission treats certificate forgery as a serious criminal act, leading to “immediate disqualification and prosecution.”
“If someone can forge a certificate, how can that person be trusted to lead others?” an Indonesian election official told him.
In contrast, Nigeria’s system often trivializes such grave offences. Courts routinely dismiss forgery-related petitions as “pre-election matters,” and political parties quietly recycle known offenders for future contests. The result, analysts say, is a cycle where impunity becomes institutionalized, eroding the moral foundation of leadership.
The Anatomy of a Systemic Crime
Investigative findings over the last decade show that certificate forgery cases in Nigeria rarely end in conviction. Instead, suspects often secure protection from political allies or exploit legal loopholes. Security and vetting agencies, which should act as safeguards, have also been accused of collusion or negligence, allowing unqualified individuals to rise to sensitive positions in government.
What makes the issue more alarming is the complicity of multiple state institutions — from INEC and political parties to law enforcement agencies — in either enabling or ignoring clear evidence of forgery. Many public officials, despite taking oaths before courts affirming the authenticity of their documents, have never faced accountability.
Obi described this as “a double tragedy,” where dishonesty is not only tolerated but rewarded. He warned that the culture of deceit at the top levels of governance has now trickled down into every facet of Nigerian society — from public service recruitment to education and even community leadership.
Call for Electoral Reform
As the 2027 elections approach, Obi is advocating for legislative amendments that would enforce transparency and accountability. He proposes that all aspirants, whether incumbents or new candidates, submit their academic certificates to INEC six months before elections, allowing the public and civil society to verify their authenticity within 90 days.
He also insists that the same rule should apply to appointed officials, ministers, and aides, emphasizing that integrity must start from the top. “When dishonesty starts from the top, it spreads everywhere,” he said.
Legal experts and anti-corruption advocates agree that without reforms, Nigeria risks entrenching what Obi describes as a “forgery culture” — a system where truth is optional and deception is a political weapon.
Ultimately, Obi’s statement is more than political commentary — it’s an indictment of Nigeria’s institutional failure to separate criminality from governance. His warning echoes a national frustration: that until truth and accountability become the foundation of leadership, the dream of a new Nigeria will remain only that — a dream.
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