The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, has criticised proposed legislative changes that remove certificate forgery, age falsification and false declaration as grounds for challenging election results at tribunals.
Obi expressed concern over the development in a statement shared on his verified X page on Friday, describing it as a troubling contradiction in Nigeria’s democratic process.
According to him, the same lawmakers proposing a fine of ₦10 million and up to two years’ imprisonment for dual political party membership are also seeking to remove critical integrity-related offenses from the list of issues that can be challenged in an election tribunal.
He said such a move contradicts the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and raises serious questions about the priorities of the country’s political system.
“In any serious democracy, the gravest offence in public life is deceiving the people to gain power,” Obi said.
He noted that submitting false documents, falsifying age, forging certificates and making dishonest declarations to electoral authorities are among the most serious violations in democratic systems and should lead to automatic disqualification as well as criminal prosecution.
The former Anambra State governor warned that Nigeria’s electoral system should not appear more focused on protecting political structures than on upholding truth and accountability.
“There is no justification for prioritising punishment for party alignment over punishing false certificates, forgery and other forms of deception in the pursuit of public office,” he said.
Obi stressed that laws should strengthen democracy rather than weaken it, adding that they must promote ethical leadership and higher standards for those seeking public office.
“A 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,” he added.
The former governor concluded his remarks with his familiar message of hope, stating that “a new Nigeria is possible.”Get The Full, Details. .
𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁𝘀𝗔𝗽𝗽 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗹 𝗧𝗼 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗟𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗔𝘀 𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝗗𝗿𝗼𝗽!
