Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 elections, emphasized the need for Nigeria to have political leaders with verifiable identities and genuine qualifications. He made this statement during a speech at the Chinua Achebe Symposium held at Princeton University in the United States, where he addressed the ongoing case regarding President Bola Tinubu’s academic records.
The case revolves around former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar’s efforts to obtain Tinubu’s academic and personal records from Chicago State University (CSU). Atiku, who contested the presidential election under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), received a favorable court ruling, mandating CSU to release Tinubu’s records. However, President Tinubu subsequently filed a lawsuit to challenge this decision.
Speaking at the symposium, Obi stressed the importance of Nigerians striving for a country characterized by competence and a strong commitment to combating corruption. He argued that leaders in Nigeria, as the largest economy in Africa, should prioritize upholding the rule of law.
Obi stated, “We must have leadership that is committed to the rule of law, possessing an identity and credentials that can be verified. We can start envisioning a new Nigeria with competence and capacity dedicated to fighting corruption. Is it possible to fight corruption? The answer is yes! The trouble with Nigeria is self-inflicted. If Achebe were alive, he would have reclaimed his book. When he wrote it, there was no trouble, but now, Nigeria is in real turmoil. Rascality has become a measure of success in Nigeria. That must change.”
Notably, Peter Obi is among those who have filed an appeal with the Supreme Court to challenge the tribunal’s decision that upheld Tinubu’s electoral victory
