Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has warned that Nigeria could face increased violence if political leaders with forged certificates continue to contest elections.
Speaking on Sunday, Obi said, “allowing politicians with fake qualifications to run for office sends the wrong message to Nigerians and weakens trust in leadership”.
“If we keep accepting forged certificates in our elections, violence may become the future of our democracy,” he said, stressing that credibility and integrity must remain key requirements for anyone seeking public office.
The former governor of Anambra State made the remarks following an attack on the secretariat of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Bakassi, where suspected political thugs reportedly vandalised property and disrupted an event.
Obi described the attack as “an assault on democracy itself.”
He warned that actions ranging from certificate forgery to violent attacks signal a worrying decline in democratic standards in the country and could heighten tensions as the 2027 elections approach.
The presidential aspirant urged Nigerians to insist on accountability and proper screening of candidates, noting that the future of peaceful elections depends on leaders who possess both the required qualifications and credibility.