Overlooking fake certificates among public officials weakens institutions, erodes public trust – Peter Obi

Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has warned that tolerating unverified academic credentials among public officials sets a dangerous precedent capable of weakening national institutions and eroding public trust across critical professions.

In a post on his X account on Tuesday, Obi — without naming any individual — urged Nigerians to resist overlooking questionable or missing credentials simply because they involve political allies. “Normalising the abandonment of basic credential verification could create a dangerous precedent, where unqualified individuals occupy critical professional and public offices,” he said.

According to Daily Post, Obi stressed that the process of attaining public office matters as much as performance, insisting that accountability, truth and due process must apply equally to all citizens regardless of political affiliation or status. He urged Nigerians to prioritise the country’s long-term development over short-term political convenience.