Labour Party Presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi has expressed grave concern over the future of Nigeria. Obi says he is afraid that the direction the country is headed does not guarantee hope for the next generation.The former Anambra State Governor wondered: What type of country are we trying to bequeath for our children?
Obi took a swipe at the lawmakers for seeing everything wrong in a person registering in two political parties but sees nothing wrong in forging certificates, perjury and deceiving the people to gain undue advantage in an election.
He posited “The same lawmakers who have proposed a fine of ₦10 million and up to two years in prison for dual political party membership have simultaneously removed certificate forgery, age falsification, and false declarations as grounds for challenging an election in a tribunal. This is in direct contradiction to the provisions of the Constitution of Nigeria (1999, as amended).
The new Act deleted previous provisions, which aligned with Section 138(1) of the previous Act , that allowed forgery to be a reason to challenge an election in court.
In the 2026 Act Section 138(1) an election can only be challenged on two grounds: That the election was invalid due to corrupt practices or non compliance with the Act and the declared winner did not receive the majority of lawful votes cast.
The Independent National Electoral Commission argued that allegations of certificate forgery should now be addressed before elections or within political parties , rather than at election tribunals.
Experts, however argue that certificate forgery remains a valid ground of disqualification under the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria- Sections 66, 107, 137, and 182, which supercedes the Electoral Act.
Obi said “This situation raises a fundamental question about the priorities of our political system.”
The former LP Presidential Candidate posited “In any serious democracy, the gravest offense in public life is deceiving the people to gain power. Submitting false documents, falsifying one’s age, forging certificates, and making dishonest declarations to electoral authorities are among the most serious offenses in any democracy. Such actions not only lead to automatic disqualification but also warrant criminal prosecution.”
He added “Yet today, our electoral system seems more focused on protecting political structures than on upholding the truth.”
Obi stressed “There is no justification for prioritizing punishment for party alignment over punishing false certificates, forgery, and other forms of deception in the pursuit of public office.”
He pointed out “Laws should strengthen democracy, not weaken it. They should promote ethical leadership rather than lower standards for those who aspire to govern.”
The African Democratic Congress stalwart concluded” nation cannot rise above the integrity of its leaders. If we truly want a better Nigeria, our laws must defend truth, character, competence, and accountability. We cannot continue to tolerate criminal behavior.”
