By Lanre Oloyede
Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has confirmed the completion of his nomination process with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Obi announced the development in a statement posted on his verified X handle on Tuesday, days after the party disclosed that his nomination had been successfully uploaded to INEC’s portal despite ongoing legal proceedings challenging the NDC’s registration.
The confirmation followed an earlier statement by the party’s National Leader, Seriake Dickson, who said Obi’s details had been submitted to the electoral commission notwithstanding a recent court judgment seeking the party’s deregistration.
Reacting after completing the nomination process, the former Anambra State governor shifted attention to what he described as Nigeria’s more pressing national challenges, arguing that political activities should not overshadow issues of insecurity, hunger and corruption.
According to Obi, a responsible leadership would treat the country’s worsening security situation, widespread poverty and alleged diversion of public funds through non-existent government agencies as matters requiring immediate action.
He also urged INEC to publish the academic credentials submitted by all political aspirants, saying such a move would enhance transparency and strengthen public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process.
Obi noted that since candidates are required in the nomination form to declare whether they have ever presented forged certificates, making their credentials publicly available would promote accountability.
“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,” he stated.
The former Labour Party presidential candidate maintained that Nigeria’s current challenges demand leaders with integrity and competence rather than politics driven by personal interests.
