Peter Obi has challenged the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), and other institutions he attended to make his academic records public amid a legal dispute over the documents.
Obi made the call in a video obtained on Tuesday, urging UNN to release his admission documents, results from first year to graduation and other records in his file.
The former Anambra State governor extended the request to institutions where he attended programmes, including Lagos Business School, London School of Economics, Columbia Business School, Kellogg School of Management, Harvard Business School, Oxford and Cambridge.
Obi said public office seekers should accept thorough checks of their backgrounds. He urged the institutions to make his records available for public scrutiny.
“I was informed that somebody wants to know about my certificate here at University of Nigeria Nsukka. He wants to know how I got admission.
“I’m actually going to tweet to say, please, I’m begging University of Nigeria Nsukka to make available every document that is in my file, or how I was admitted in the university, all my results from year one to final year.”
Obi said public figures must accept scrutiny and show the values expected of leaders.
“If you will seek a public life, you should subject yourself to public scrutiny because you’re a leader. You must exemplify the values that make the society work, especially for the younger ones,” he said.
The NDC candidate challenged anyone with information about his records in Nigeria or abroad to release it publicly.
“If I have an FBI file which I’m not aware of, or files in another country, this is time for them to bring it to the public,” he added.
When asked if other presidential candidates should also make their records public, Obi answered in the affirmative.
He said scrutiny would allow candidates to explain any wrongdoing in their past and show that they had changed.
“Yes, because we want to know if there’s any place that I’ve done wrong, I’ll be the one to come and explain to people: I did this wrong yesterday, but I’ve changed.
“I committed this offence, but I’ve changed. Or if I’ve gone to jail and served my time, please forgive me,” Obi said.
Arabambi sues UNN over records
However, Obi spoke days after suspended Labour Party member, Abayomi Arabambi, approached the Federal High Court in Abuja over UNN’s alleged refusal to release the presidential candidate’s academic records.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2144/2026, was filed on September 9 by Arabambi’s lawyer, Anderson Asemota.
The Vice-Chancellor of UNN and the university were listed as the first and second respondents.
Arabambi wants the court to compel UNN to provide certified copies of documents linked to a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy allegedly awarded to Gregory Peter Onwubuasi Obi in 1984.
Arabambi requested on July 16 a Certified True Copy of Certificate Number D000198, which he said was issued in respect of Obi.
He also requested academic records and other official documents supporting the alleged degree and certificate.
The applicant said he made the request under the Freedom of Information Act 2011 and that the respondents received it on August 6.
However, he alleged that UNN failed to provide the documents within the period set by law. He also alleged that the university did not issue a written refusal stating the specific provision of the Act used to deny access.
Arabambi sent a reminder on August 31, which the respondents reportedly received on September 1.
He is seeking 19 reliefs, including an order of mandamus compelling the respondents to respond to his Freedom of Information request in line with the law.
He wants the court to compel UNN to provide a Certified True Copy of Certificate Number D000198, if the certificate exists in its custody, possession or control.
Other requested documents include academic records, graduation and degree-award records, certificate-register entries, Senate or academic approval records and other official documents relating to the alleged degree.
External links
Politics Nigeria report on the UNN court case
