PDP faces backlash for screening former minister Nnaji accused of certificate forgery

A civil society organisation, Defence for Democracy, has faulted the decision of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to clear former Minister of Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, for the upcoming governorship primaries in Enugu State amid allegations linked to his academic qualifications.

The group warned that the party may be courting legal and political trouble if Nnaji eventually secures the PDP governorship ticket amid the controversy over his credentials resurfaces before the courts.

In a statement signed by its National President, Dr. Emeka Nwachukwu, the organisation questioned the integrity of the PDP’s screening exercise, accusing the party of ignoring what it described as serious concerns surrounding the former minister’s background.

According to the group, Nnaji, who recently exited President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet, is still facing scrutiny over claims of forged credentials.

READ ALSO: Outrage in Nigeria as Minister Nnaji’s certificate scandal unfolds

“We therefore find it strange that people can move from controversy to ambition without addressing the questions hanging over their names,” the organisation stated.

Defence for Democracy further argued that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) could take advantage of the allegations by seeking speedy judicial proceedings capable of nullifying any electoral victory the former minister might obtain.

“Because we are all in this country, and we know that in an event that this former minister wins, there will be an accelerated hearing that will hand over that victory to the APC,” the statement added.

The organisation stressed that leadership should be built on credibility, integrity and public trust, maintaining that Enugu residents deserve leaders whose records are free from controversy and can withstand scrutiny.

“We believe firmly that Enugu deserves honest leadership, grassroots connection, and a leader who understands the pains of the people, and there are many such people,” the group said.

The group also called on Nnaji to clear the allegations surrounding his credentials before continuing with his governorship ambition, insisting that the claims against him were too weighty to be ignored.

It equally appealed to the PDP national leadership to step into the matter before it degenerates into what it described as avoidable embarrassment for the opposition party.

“We are watching events in Enugu and other parts of the country, and we would have issued this statement to congratulate the Enugu State chapter of the party if it screened out the former minister, because there is a moral burden there which is far beyond what the courts might eventually pronounce,” the statement noted.

Certificate scandal

Nnaji, a former minister of science and technology, resigned from President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet following allegations of certificate forgery on October 7, 2025.

The minister cited political witch-hunting and hinted that he would seek redress in court.

READ ALSO: Certificate forgery scandal finally consumes Minister Nnaji as Tinubu accepts his resignation

President Tinubu had appointed Nnaji as a minister in August 2023. The former minister was embroiled in a certificate forgery scandal, with recent Premium Times reports affirming that he neither graduated in Microbiology/Biochemistry from the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) nor concluded his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) as he claimed.

The newspaper said it began investigating Mr Nnaji on October 2023 after President Tinubu had named him among the first batch of 28 ministerial nominees from 25 states.

In the course of the investigation, Vice-Chancellor of UNN, Prof Simon U. Ortuanya, noted that although Mr Nnaji was admitted to the institution in 1981, he did not gruaduate and was never awarded a degree. “We refer to your letter dated 29 September 2025 in respect of the above subject matter. We can confirm that Mr Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji, with Matriculation Number 1981/30725, was admitted by the University of Nigeria, Nsukka in 1981,” the vice-chancellor wrote in response to Premium Times’ Freedom of Information request.

Nnaji has since gone to court to challenge the UNN’s position.