The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has defended the academic credentials of its 2027 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, dismissing three lawsuits filed by Labour Party chieftain Abayomi Arabambi seeking access to the politician’s academic and National Youth Service Corps records.
The three suits were filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja against the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
According to court documents, Arabambi is seeking orders compelling the institutions to release official records relating to certificates and academic qualifications allegedly issued to Obi. The suits were filed pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, 2011.
The action against WAEC, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2064/2026, and the suit against NYSC, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2063/2026, were filed on September 1, while the case involving UNN, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2144/2026, was filed on September 9.
In the UNN case, Arabambi is seeking access to a certified true copy of a certificate identified as No. D000198, which he said relates to a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy allegedly awarded to Obi in 1984. He is also asking for other existing academic and institutional records relating to the degree.
Arabambi has said his requests were made in the public interest and for purposes of transparency and accountability. He also stated that he was seeking access to existing official records rather than asking the institutions to create new information.
Reacting to the lawsuits, NDC National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, said the party had confidence in Obi’s academic background and challenged Arabambi to produce evidence suggesting that the former Anambra State governor’s credentials were not genuine.
Director said Arabambi had himself indicated that he was not disputing the genuineness of Obi’s certificates, questioning why he was seeking the records.
The NDC spokesman nevertheless acknowledged Arabambi’s right to seek judicial intervention, saying the party would not attempt to prevent him from pursuing the matter through the courts.
The development comes as political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections intensify. Obi, who was the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, is now the NDC’s presidential candidate for the 2027 election.
Meanwhile, the Labour Party has distanced itself from Arabambi. The party said he was among members suspended by its National Executive Council in March over alleged anti-party activities, with the suspension later ratified by the party’s national convention on April 28, 2026.
The LP’s National Publicity Secretary, Ken Asogwa, said Arabambi was therefore no longer a member of the party and had no authorisation to represent himself as an LP chieftain or spokesperson.
The three cases remain matters before the Federal High Court, and no judicial determination has been made on the substantive questions surrounding Obi’s academic or service records.