He argued that strengthening electoral procedures must be accompanied by firm enforcement of the law against anyone who undermines the process.
The former Anambra State governor said candidates seeking elective office should have attended both primary and secondary school, adding that their educational backgrounds should be verifiable.
“For you to contest the election, you must have attended a primary school, you must have attended a secondary school, and it will be visible, it will be clear,” Obi said.
He warned that candidates who had not attended the required schools or who submitted forged certificates should face imprisonment.
“If you didn’t attend any of them or forge your certificate, you go to jail,” he added.
Obi also extended his proposed penalties to officials responsible for conducting elections. He said electoral personnel found to have manipulated results under his administration would face legal consequences.
“Any INEC official, anybody who is involved with the election under my watch that rigs the election will go to jail. It is very strict,” he stated.
His remarks outlined an approach that places emphasis on candidate eligibility, verification of academic credentials and accountability within the electoral system.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is responsible for conducting federal and state elections in Nigeria, while the legal requirements for candidates are set out in the Constitution and relevant electoral laws.
Obi also argued that the law must apply equally to every Nigerian, regardless of status or position.
He said public office holders and ordinary citizens should be subject to the same legal standards.
The proposals were presented as part of Obi’s wider argument that electoral credibility requires stronger processes and consequences for violations.
However, the remarks represent his stated intentions; any new penalties or changes to candidate eligibility would have to be implemented through the appropriate constitutional and legal procedures.