Accusations of Forgery and Institutional Failures
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has raised serious allegations against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), accusing the party of harboring individuals with questionable academic credentials. The ADC claims that the APC has created an environment where deceit is normalized, allowing those with dubious integrity to thrive within its ranks.
In a statement released by the ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party criticized President Bola Tinubu for accepting the resignation of former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, without initiating a full investigation. This decision, according to the ADC, signals a lack of accountability for misconduct within the government.
Nnaji resigned on Tuesday following a report by Premium Times, which alleged that he presented forged academic and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificates during his ministerial screening in 2023. Both the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and the NYSC have since disowned the documents, further fueling the controversy.
“The APC has normalised deceit, turning it into a defining trait while providing refuge for individuals with dubious integrity and forged credentials,” the ADC stated. “We are equally appalled that the minister was allowed to quietly resign after publicly admitting that the certificates he presented were not issued by the relevant institutions. This sends the wrong message to Nigerians, especially the youth, that dishonesty carries no consequence in public life.”
The ADC called on law enforcement agencies to conduct an independent investigation into the matter, emphasizing that resignation does not absolve criminal liability. “Forgery is a crime,” the party said. “If found guilty, Mr. Nnaji should be prosecuted. Anything less will amount to a cover-up.”
The ADC also questioned the President’s commitment to combating corruption, arguing that failure to act decisively in such a straightforward case undermines public confidence in his administration’s integrity drive.
Nnaji’s Response and Defense
In response to the allegations, Nnaji issued a press statement on Wednesday, clarifying that his resignation did not equate to an admission of guilt. He described the allegations as “politically motivated and malicious” and claimed that his decision to step down was prompted by a “sustained campaign of falsehood” against him and his office.
“My decision to step aside is not an admission of guilt, but a principled decision to respect the sanctity of due process and preserve the integrity of judicial proceedings currently before the court,” he explained. Nnaji thanked President Tinubu for the opportunity to serve and pledged continued support for the administration’s goals.
“His vision for a renewed, innovative, and technologically driven Nigeria is one I continue to hold dear,” he stated. “I remain committed to supporting his administration and its transformative agenda.”
Criticism from HEDA Resource Centre
Meanwhile, the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) condemned the Presidency, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigerian Senate for what it described as “gross dereliction of duty” in the appointment and confirmation of Nnaji despite clear red flags.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, HEDA described the incident as a “shameful institutional failure” that exposed the rot within Nigeria’s governance and vetting systems. “It is disheartening that President Bola Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and the DSS all ignored clear red flags and public outcry over Mr. Nnaji’s forged credentials,” Suraju said.
The group recalled that it had petitioned both the President and the Senate as far back as June 2024, urging a probe into the forgery allegations and Nnaji’s suspension pending investigation, but the warnings were ignored.
HEDA also accused the DSS of negligence, alleging that the agency failed to verify Nnaji’s credentials or deliberately suppressed evidence during the security clearance process. “From Kemi Adeosun to Stella Oduah, and now Geoffrey Nnaji, this pattern of negligence has become too consistent to ignore,” it said.
While acknowledging Nnaji’s resignation as “necessary but belated,” the organisation insisted that accountability must go beyond stepping down. “Resignation does not erase the crime of forgery. Those who enabled this fraud within the Presidency, DSS, and Senate must also be held accountable,” Suraju added.
HEDA urged President Tinubu to order the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission to investigate the case and commended Premium Times for its investigative diligence in exposing the scandal.
