Peter Obi, Presidential Candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has challenged institutions to make public his official records, including his academic documents, insisting that he has nothing to hide.

Obi made the call during an interview on 90 Minutes Africa while responding to questions about claims by Nigeria’s Ambassador-designate to Mexico, Reno Omokri, that presidential candidates in the country have files with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

The former Anambra State governor said he was unaware of having any FBI file and had never had dealings with the agency.

“I don’t know. I’ve never met the FBI,” he said.

Obi said anyone seeking public office should be prepared to subject himself to comprehensive scrutiny and accountability.

He specifically called on the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), to release all documents contained in his academic records, including his admission documents and academic results from his first year through graduation.

“I’m begging the University of Nigeria to make available every document in my file, how I was admitted and all my results from year one to final year,” he said.

Obi also urged institutions where he attended executive programmes to make his records available for public scrutiny.

They include Lagos Business School, the London School of Economics, Columbia Business School, Kellogg School of Management, Harvard Business School, Oxford, Cambridge, INSEAD and IMD.

He said transparency should be a requirement for anyone aspiring to hold public office, arguing that leaders must be willing to demonstrate the values they expect from society.

“If you seek public life, you should subject yourself to public scrutiny because you are a leader and you must exemplify the values that make society work,” he said.

Obi also challenged other presidential candidates to adopt the same level of openness, saying politicians with questionable records should be prepared to explain their past to Nigerians.

He said public officials should not shy away from scrutiny but should be willing to account for their past actions and records.

The issue over Obi’s credentials came to the fore in this election season after a politician, Abayomi Arabambi, sued UNN over the alleged refusal to release details of the academic record of the NDC Presidential Candidate.

Arabambi, in a fresh suit, said he had requested a certified true copy (CTC) of Obi’s certificate number D000198 in respect of a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy issued in 1984 in line with the Freedom of Information Act, but the institution turned down his demand.

In the originating motion marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2144/2026 and filed by his lawyer, Anderson Asemota, on September 9 at the Federal High Court in Abuja, said letters had been written to the university.

In the court documents made available on Saturday, the applicant, a former factional spokesperson for Labour Party, named the VC and UNN as 1st and 2nd respondents.

He sought an order of mandamus compelling the respondents to perform their statutory duty under the FoI Act, 2011, by determining and responding to his request dated July 16 in accordance with the provisions of the Act.

According to Arabambi in the affidavit setting out the facts, by a letter dated 16th July, 2026, the applicant requested a CTC of Certificate No. D000198, stated to have been issued by the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, to Gregory Peter Onwubuasi Obi in respect of a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Philosophy in 1984.

“The applicant also requested a Certified True Copy of the certificate, academic record or other official records upon which the said degree was predicated.

“The said request was duly delivered to and received by the respondents on 6th August, 2026.

“The applicant expressly made the request pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, 2011, and stated the public-interest and accountability basis for the request.

“The respondents failed and/or neglected to provide the requested information within the period prescribed by the Act,” he said.

Arabambi stated that the respondents did not communicate to him a written notice of refusal identifying the specific provision of the Act relied upon for refusing access.

The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has suspended the industrial action it earlier directed its affiliates to shut Federal Unity Colleges over the proposed concession of King’s College, Lagos, even as government insists implementation of the arrangement for the King’s College Old Boys Association (KCOBA) to continue managing the school would proceed.

The TUC General Secretary, Mr Nuhu Toro, announced the suspension at the end of a meeting with the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, and other stakeholders on Monday in Abuja.

Toro described the meeting as fruitful and robust, saying the concerns of the unions were presented and considered in good faith.

He said the suspension would allow a newly constituted committee to undertake its assignment and consider the issues raised by the unions.

Toro, however, stressed that the suspension did not mean that the industrial action had been permanently called off.

He said the unions would monitor the outcome of the committee’s assignment and could resume the action if they were not satisfied with its recommendations.

“The issues bothering us have been laid bare, and of course, those that were critical to us were also brought to the fore,” Toro said.

He said the minister had also provided explanations on the concerns raised by the unions during the meeting.

Toro said the development had prompted the unions to “stand down the action” and suspend the directive earlier issued to their affiliates to withdraw their services.

He said the suspension was necessary to give the committee an opportunity to complete its work and make recommendations on the issues in contention.

The TUC general secretary cautioned that the suspension should not be interpreted as a final withdrawal of the industrial action.

“Suspending an action is not calling off,” he said, stressing that the unions could resume the action immediately if they were dissatisfied with the committee’s outcome.

Toro welcomed the establishment of the committee, saying it would enable the unions to examine the relevant policy document and make further contributions.

He said the parties would reconvene within the stipulated period to consider the committee’s recommendations and determine the next steps.

Toro also called for urgent attention to the condition of King’s College, stressing that the existing situation should not be allowed to continue.

He said the dilapidated state of the institution required urgent government intervention to improve the learning environment for students.

The TUC official described the outcome of the engagement as a win-win situation, saying the unions had secured assurances on the concerns of their members.

He added that the government had demonstrated willingness to revisit issues requiring further consideration through the committee.

Meanwhile, Alausa directed all Federal Unity Colleges to resume academic activities immediately following the suspension of the industrial action.

The minister reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to continued engagement with the unions and other stakeholders on the King’s College management arrangement.

He said the process would be guided by mutual respect, the law and the national interest.

Alausa assured stakeholders that the government would continue to work with them to strengthen King’s College, preserve its heritage and improve the learning environment.

He also assured the unions that no staff member would be dismissed over the management arrangement involving the institution.

The minister said the deployment of academic and non-academic staff would continue to be handled in accordance with the Public Service Rules.

He said implementation of the arrangement for the King’s College Old Boys Association (KCOBA) to continue managing the school would proceed.

Alausa, however, announced the constitution of a seven-member high-level committee to consider additional recommendations that could be incorporated into the agreement already signed.

He said the committee comprised two representatives of the Federal Ministry of Education, including the Minister of State for Education and the Acting Permanent Secretary, one representative of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, two senior TUC representatives and two representatives of KCOBA.

Alausa said the committee had two weeks to complete its assignment and submit recommendations, stressing that all academic and non-academic staff would continue to be treated in accordance with the Public Service Rules.

He added that “No staff will be dismissed, demonised or punished as a result of the issues under consideration.”

Oyo govt confirms arrest of 5 terrorists after Igbeti attack
Oyo State Government has confirmed the arrest of five suspected terrorists involved in the attack on a military camp on the outskirts of Igbeti in the Olorunsogo Local Government Council on Sunday.

The State Deputy Governor, Mr Bayo Lawal, made this known in Igbeti on Monday shortly after he was conducted around the scene of the attack by the Commanding Officer, 81 Battalion, Lt Col. Innocent Asogwa.

According to a statement issued by the state Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, Lawal said the five arrested terrorists were in military uniforms, while more arrests were expected to be made.

He said that the military had sent at least 120 soldiers into the bush on the trail of the other terrorists.

He explained that the fire that burnt the Operation Burst vehicle and the camp structure was caused by grenade launchers used by the terrorists, which ignited the cooking cylinders on the premises.

The deputy governor further said that the state’s newly procured surveillance aircraft engaged constantly in random exercises and cannot be permanently in the sky, but will remain handy for all operations and reconnaissance.

He said that an emergency committee of the five adjoining local government councils of Olorunsogo, Oriire, Saki East, Orelope, and Irepo had been set up to immediately provide all the needs of the security men in the areas and liaise with the state government for prompt assistance.

He equally assured residents of Igbeti and the entire people of Oke-Ogun that the state government was committed to the security of lives and property.

(NAN)