BY EDMOND ODOK – The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, says there is nothing to hide and he welcomes the release of his academic records by the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) for public scrutiny.
Breaking his silence amid emerging legal actions seeking the Certified True Copies (CTC) of his university credentials and other educational documents relating to his admission and studies, Obi said consent has been given UNN to make available all the necessary documents, provided the disclosure complies with applicable privacy laws.
In a statement published on X (formerly Twitter), the former Anambra State Governor wrote: “I wish to state clearly that I have absolutely no objection to the release of these records. I respectfully request that the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, within the limits permitted by law, make available, upon legitimate request, my academic certificates, records, and other official documents relating to my admission and studies at the University.
“I equally have no objection to other educational institutions, within and outside Nigeria, which I attended, making my academic records available in accordance with applicable laws and procedures.”
Further expressing his strong belief in transparency and accountability, particularly for individuals seeking public office, he said public scrutiny should be fair, lawful and consistently applied to all presidential candidates, adding: “As a presidential candidate seeking the trust of Nigerians to lead our country, I welcome legitimate public interest in my background, qualifications, and record.
“I am prepared to subject myself to the level of scrutiny that should reasonably be expected of anyone seeking the highest office in our country.”
Challenging his rivals for the nation’s highest office to lay bare their educational qualifications and personal records for public scrutiny, he argued that anyone seeking to lead the country must face intense vetting to prove they have nothing to hide from the citizens they intend to serve.
The NDC Standard Bearer, whose call further raised a direct political challenge for transparency in the presidential race, demanded institutional accountability, insisting that Nigerians should not trust political office seekers who deliberately shield their past from public view because of skeletons in their cupboards.
According to him, candidates seeking the nation’s highest office should be willing to subject themselves to reasonable scrutiny and demonstrate that they had nothing to conceal from the people they sought to serve, adding: “Doing so should not be regarded as an inconvenience or an attack. Rather, it is an opportunity to strengthen public confidence, promote accountability, and rebuild the trust of Nigerians in those who seek to govern them.”
Maintaining that transparency, integrity and accountability should begin with those seeking to lead the country, Obi said, “I therefore welcome the scrutiny of my academic background and remain committed to the principle that those who ask Nigerians for their trust must also be willing to earn that trust through openness and accountability.”
The NDC presidential flag-bearer’s statement comes against the backdrop of reports circulating on social media concerning a legal action by an individual and some groups seeking certified true copies of his Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy and other academic credentials relating to his admission into the university.
