The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to publicly release the academic certificates and other credentials submitted by all candidates contesting elective positions, saying the move would enhance transparency and boost confidence in the country’s electoral system.

Obi made the appeal in a Facebook post on Tuesday while sharing his reflections on the INEC nomination form he recently completed.

The former Governor of Anambra State noted that one of the questions in Section E of the form asks whether a candidate has ever been declared mentally unfit or adjudged to be of unsound mind. According to him, the question prompted him to consider whether Nigeria’s political leadership is displaying the level of sound judgment required to govern effectively.

He argued that the country’s worsening insecurity and economic hardship should be receiving greater attention than political activities.

Obi questioned the nation’s priorities, pointing to the continued abduction of citizens, including children and security personnel, the growing insecurity on major highways, and the increasing number of Nigerians struggling to afford basic necessities.

According to him, a responsible government would treat the country’s security and humanitarian challenges as a national emergency and immediately mobilise security agencies, professionals, community leaders and other relevant stakeholders to address the situation.

The former presidential candidate also referred to another section of the nomination form, which asks whether an aspirant has ever submitted a forged certificate to INEC. He argued that, in the spirit of openness and accountability, the electoral commission should make public the academic qualifications submitted by every candidate seeking public office.

Obi maintained that greater transparency would strengthen Nigeria’s democracy and improve public trust in the electoral process. He added that the country’s numerous challenges require leaders with competence, integrity, capacity, compassion and a genuine commitment to public service, rather than the continuation of politics as usual.