We need leaders with genuine identity, verified credentials – Peter Obi

Presidential Candidate of Labour Party in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi emphasized the importance of political office holders in Nigeria possessing genuine identities and valid credentials.

Expressing this viewpoint while in the United States, Obi referred to the ongoing case regarding President Bola Tinubu’s academic record.

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, who ran for the presidency under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is actively seeking information about Tinubu’s academic and personal records from Chicago State University (CSU).

A court ruled in favour of Atiku, compelling CSU to release Tinubu’s records. However, the Nigerian president has filed a lawsuit contesting this decision.

During the Chinua Achebe Symposium at Princeton University in the US on Friday, Obi stressed the necessity for Nigerians to strive for a nation where competence and dedication to combating corruption drive the country.

He emphasized that leaders in Africa’s largest economy must be devoted to upholding 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.”