Obi condemns Nigeria’s ‘bad’ leadership, urges INEC to publish candidates’ certificates

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has called on Nigeria’s political leaders to shift their focus from partisan politics to tackling the country’s worsening insecurity, hunger and alleged misuse of public funds.

Obi said this in a statement issued on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, after completing his nomination forms with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The NDC presidential candidate said a question on the nomination form asking whether a candidate had ever been adjudged a lunatic or declared to be of unsound mind prompted him to reflect on the quality of leadership in the country.

The former two-term governor of Anambra State questioned whether Nigeria’s current political leadership could genuinely be said to be demonstrating the qualities of sound judgement in the face of mounting national challenges.

Obi lamented that many Nigerians, including children and security personnel, continue to be kidnapped, while citizens remain unable to travel safely on major highways.

Obi also decried the growing hardship across Nigeria, saying millions of Nigerians are uncertain of where their next meal will come from.

He further alleged that billions of naira were being wasted through non-existent agencies and projects, stressing that such issues should command the full attention of those in government rather than political manoeuvring.

Obi stated: “While completing my INEC nomination form yesterday, Section E, Question 1 caught my attention. It asks: ‘Have you ever been adjudged a lunatic or been declared a person of unsound mind?’ The answer is either Yes or No. That question got me thinking: Can we, as the political leaders of today’s Nigeria, truly say we are exhibiting the characteristics of a sound mind?

“When Nigerians, including children and security personnel, are being abducted into the bushes, citizens cannot travel safely on our highways, several million Nigerians are uncertain where their next meal will come from, and several billions are being siphoned frivolously through non-existent agencies and projects, should politics really be our primary preoccupation?

“A sound-minded leadership would have declared these existential challenges a national emergency and immediately mobilised all relevant institutions, security agencies, experts, community leaders, and other critical stakeholders to confront them with urgency and resolve.

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“At a moment like this, the survival, security, and stability of Nigeria must take precedence over every other consideration. This is a time for decisive action, not political calculation or the pursuit of partisan advantage.”

Obi also called for greater transparency in Nigeria’s electoral process, citing another question in the nomination form on whether candidates had ever submitted forged certificates to INEC.

He stated that the electoral umpire should publish the academic certificates and credentials submitted by all candidates seeking elective office to enhance accountability and strengthen public confidence in the democratic process.

He added: “Further in the same Section E, Question 6, was: ‘Have you ever presented a forged certificate to INEC?’ Again, the answer is either Yes or No.

“This raises another important question: Why shouldn’t INEC, in the interest of ensuring that our leaders are exemplary in following the rules and to strengthen public confidence in our electoral process, publish the academic certificates and credentials submitted by every candidate seeking elective office?”

Obi maintained that Nigeria’s challenges require a departure from “politics as usual,” urging leaders to embrace governance anchored on competence, character, capacity, compassion, and transparency.

“Transparency strengthens democracy and builds public trust. Nigeria’s problems are too serious for politics as usual. It is time for leadership defined by competence, character, capacity, compassion, and commitment to service,” the former governor said.