- The former Anambra state government stated that Nigeria needs political office holders whose identity and credentials are real and authentic
- Obi said this in the United States where there is an ongoing case on President Bola Tinubu’s academic record
Presidential Candidate of Labour Party in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, has bemoaned the level of character deficit among those who occupy leadership positions in Nigeria.
The former Anambra state government stated that Nigeria needs political office holders whose identity and credentials are real and authentic.
Obi said this in the United States where there is an ongoing case on President Bola Tinubu’s academic record.
Recall that former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, who contested the presidential election under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is demanding for the release of the academic and personal records of Tinubu, from Chicago State University (CSU).
A court ruled in favour of Atiku, ordering CSU to release Tinubu’s record, but the Nigerian president appealed the ruling, stalling the release.
Speaking at the Chinua Achebe Symposium at Princeton University, US on Friday, Obi said Nigerians must start working towards a country built on competence and commitment to fighting corruption.
He submitted that leaders in Africa’s biggest economy must be committed to the rule of law.
“We must have leadership that is committed to the rule of law… that has an identity and credentials that can be verified. We can start thinking of a new Nigeria with competence, and capacity that is committed to fighting corruption. Is it possible to fight corruption? The answer is yes!
“The trouble with Nigeria is self-inflicted. If Achebe was alive, he would have taken back the book. When he wrote it, there was no trouble. Now, there is real trouble in Nigeria.Rascality has become a measure of success in Nigeria. That must change.”
Obi is one of those who filed an appeal at the Supreme Court to challenge the tribunal’s ruling that upheld Tinubu’s victory.