Obi raises alarm over Electoral Act move to drop certificate forgery from election petitions

Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has criticised a proposed amendment to Nigeria’s electoral law that removes certificate forgery and related offences as grounds for challenging election results at tribunals.

In a statement shared on social media on Friday, Obi described the move as troubling and inconsistent with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).

The politician, who is also a leading figure in the African Democratic Congress (ADC), argued that the decision undermines the integrity of the country’s electoral system and raises questions about the priorities of lawmakers.

According to him, the proposal creates a contradiction within Nigeria’s political framework by imposing penalties for party-related violations while weakening accountability for more serious offences tied to election eligibility.

The controversy follows a decision by the House of Representatives of Nigeria to amend provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 earlier this week.

Under the amendment, individuals found to be members of more than one political party could face penalties including a fine of up to ₦10 million and a prison term of as much as two years.

However, critics have expressed concern that the same amendment removes certificate forgery, age falsification and false declarations as valid grounds for filing election petitions before tribunals.

Obi warns of weakening democratic standards

Reacting to the development, Obi said the proposed changes contradict the principles of accountability expected in a democratic system.

He argued that offences such as presenting forged certificates or falsifying personal information should remain among the most serious violations in the electoral process.

According to him, allowing such issues to fall outside the scope of election petitions risks lowering ethical standards for those seeking public office.

Obi said that in established democracies, misleading voters to gain political power is considered one of the gravest offences in public life.

He noted that submitting false documents or providing inaccurate personal information to electoral authorities should ordinarily attract automatic disqualification and possible criminal prosecution.

The former Anambra governor added that any legal framework governing elections must prioritise truth, character and competence among candidates.

Debate over priorities in electoral reforms

The controversy has sparked debate among political observers and civil society groups about the direction of Nigeria’s ongoing electoral reforms.

Critics argue that prioritising penalties for political party membership violations while removing provisions addressing document forgery sends the wrong signal about the values guiding the country’s electoral system.

Obi said the development raises fundamental questions about whether Nigeria’s electoral framework is being shaped to strengthen democracy or to protect existing political structures.

According to him, laws guiding elections should reinforce public trust by ensuring that candidates meet ethical and legal standards before seeking office.

He maintained that strengthening democratic institutions requires rules that promote transparency and accountability rather than lowering the bar for political leadership.

Obi also stressed that Nigeria’s political future depends heavily on the credibility of its leaders and the integrity of the laws governing elections.

“If we truly want a better Nigeria,” he said, “our laws must defend truth, character, competence and accountability.”

The politician concluded that electoral reforms should focus on improving democratic standards rather than weakening the mechanisms that hold public officials accountable.