Peter Obi urges editors to scrutinise politicians’ qualifications and records before elections

# Summary

Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, urged editors across Nigeria to scrutinise the qualifications and past records of politicians seeking public office. He delivered the appeal after participating in the 22nd All Nigeria Editors Conference in Enugu, a gathering organised by the Nigerian Guild of Editors under the theme "The Ballot, The Media and the Task of Keeping Democracy Alive." Obi posted a statement on his X account summarising his call.

# What Obi said

He told attendees during a question-and-answer session that the conference was an opportunity for direct interaction with media professionals and for listening to their views on the state of democracy and the media's role.

# Why this matters

The media shapes what voters know about candidates. Obi's point is practical: more thorough verification of education, employment history, and any documented misconduct helps voters make informed choices. When editors prioritise these checks, public debates can focus on competence and integrity rather than rumours.

# Practical actions for editors

• Verify academic and professional credentials before publication. Use primary documents or institutional confirmations where possible.
• Check public records and previous official statements for inconsistencies in candidates' narratives.

# Conference context and closing note

The 22nd All Nigeria Editors Conference focused on the interplay between ballots and media in preserving democracy. Obi thanked the Nigerian Guild of Editors for inviting him and closed his statement with a short slogan: "A New Nigeria is Possible, and Nigeria will be OK. -PO."

# Short implications for the 2027 campaign cycle

Obi's call adds public emphasis on candidate vetting at a moment when campaign activity is increasing. If editors act on this appeal, campaign narratives may shift toward documented qualifications and records, and voters could receive clearer factual bases for their decisions.

# Closing

Obi framed the media's role as essential to democratic accountability and urged editors to use their investigative capacity to give Nigerians the information they need to choose leaders responsibly.