By Ayo Kehinde
Amid the controversial legal suit by former spokesperson of the Labour Party, Abayomi Arabambi who had been denounced as a member of the party and therefore lacks any locus, Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi has directed the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, to release his academic records.
Mr Arabambi had reportedly instituted a suit against the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), regarding the academic records Obi.
But the LP said on Monday that Arabambi was no longer a member of the party.
According to National Publicity Secretary of LP, Mr Ken Asogwa, Arabambi has since seized to be a member of the party, let alone getting to institute a legal suit in the name of the party.
“The Labour Party wishes to notify the general public that Abayomi Arabambi is not a member of the Labour Party,” Asogea said.
Obi made the declaration in a statement posted on X on Tuesday while challenging President Bola Tinubu, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and other presidential candidates to open their educational credentials to public scrutiny.
Rather than object to the disclosure, Obi said he had given his consent for the university to make his records available, subject to applicable laws and legitimate procedures.
“I wish to state clearly that I have absolutely no objection to the release of these records,” he said.
The former Anambra governor specifically requested UNN to make available his academic certificates, records, and other official documents relating to his admission and studies whenever there is a legitimate request.
“I respectfully request that the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, within the limits permitted by law, make available, upon legitimate request, my academic certificates, records, and other official documents relating to my admission and studies at the University,” Obi said.
The NDC candidate extended the request to other institutions he attended in Nigeria and abroad.
“I equally have no objection to other educational institutions, within and outside Nigeria, which I attended, making my academic records available in accordance with applicable laws and procedures,” he added.
Obi said he had no reservations about legitimate public interest in his background, qualifications and record, particularly because he was seeking the highest political office in the country.
“As a presidential candidate seeking the trust of Nigerians to lead our country, I welcome legitimate public interest in my background, qualifications, and record.
“I am prepared to subject myself to the level of scrutiny that should reasonably be expected of anyone seeking the highest office in our country,” he said.
Obi, however, stressed that such scrutiny must be fair, lawful and consistently applied to all presidential candidates.
According to him, candidates seeking the presidency should be willing to demonstrate that they have nothing to hide from Nigerians whose mandate they are seeking.
Obi said public examination of candidates’ credentials should not automatically be interpreted as an attack, but rather as part of the accountability that should accompany the quest for public office
Obi subsequently turned the spotlight on the wider field of presidential contenders, challenging them to make their own educational qualifications and relevant records available for public scrutiny.
His challenge comes as political parties and opposition blocs intensify preparations for the 2027 presidential election, with the credibility and personal records of leading contenders expected to remain major issues in the campaign.
“Doing so should not be regarded as an inconvenience or an attack. Rather, it is an opportunity to strengthen public confidence, promote accountability, and rebuild the trust of Nigerians in those who seek to govern them,” Obi said.
He maintained that transparency, integrity and accountability should begin with those aspiring to lead the country.
“I therefore welcome the scrutiny of my academic background and remain committed to the principle that those who ask Nigerians for their trust must also be willing to earn that trust through openness and accountability,” he added.
