“When I Will Withdraw From Presidential Race” – Peter Obi

By Adesina Soyooye

The Presidential Candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has said he would withdraw from the 2027 Presidential Race if it is ever found out that any of the educational certificates he has is forged.

Obi said this while he was defending his educational credentials during an interview with Arise TV. Describing all the certificates he presented as legitimate, Obi flaunted , among other institutions he attended for professional training Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard, Columbia, Kellogg and IMD.

Obi’s stand comes on the heels of a suit instituted against his alma mata,  the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, by a Labour Party chieftain, Abayomi Arabambi.

According to him, he instituted the case against UNN at the Federal High Court Abuja over alleged refusal by the University  to release Obi’s academic records.

In the suit filed by his lawyer, Anderson Asemota, on September 9, Arabambi wants the Court to compel UNN to acede to his request for the documents.

He had, in July 2026, requested from UNN, a certified true copy of certificate number D000198 in the name of Gregory Peter Onwubuasi Obi, for a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy awarded in 1984. He based his demand in the Freedom of Information Act, 2011, and noted the public interest and accountability basis for seeking the records.

Arabambi’s request was received by on August 6 by the University but there was no  response to him within the timeframe set by the act. UNN did not also write to him to explain why it refused him access to the documents.

Pushed by  the University’s silence, Arabambi on August 31, sent a reminder where he reminded it of his demand for the certificate and related academic records. On September 1, UNN  acknowledged delivery. But as at the

time he filed his suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2144/2026, there was still no response from the UNN. In the suit, the  Vice Chancellor and the University were named  as first and second respondents.

In the affidavit, deposed to by a litigation secretary at Neplus Ultra Attorneys, Chuku Maudlyn,  Arabambi narrated the efforts he made to get the documents. He pointed out that his request complied with the  Freedom of Information Act requirements.

A former factional spokesperson for the Labour Party, Arabambi  seeks a declaration that his written request is a valid information demand under the Freedom of Information Act, 2011.

He wants the court to issue an order of mandamus order by the court which translates to  forcing the university to release the certificate in  its possession.

He filed  a total of 19 reliefs seeking orders from the court to force compliance with the Freedom of Information Act.

But Obi has publicly challenged anyone who questions his credentials to identify any certificate they believe is fake or forged and emphasised he would withdraw from the Presidential race if that were so.

“In terms of training, I have attended the best schools worldwide, from Oxford to Cambridge to Harvard to Columbia to Kellogg to IMD. All the certificates I have provided are legitimate. If you find one that is incorrect, I will step down from the race.”