ADC: Tinubu’s retention of alleged certificate forger shows tolerance for corruption
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has said it is not surprised that President Bola Tinubu has continued to keep Uche Nnaji, the minister of science, technology, and innovation, in his cabinet despite allegations that the certificates he presented for his appointment were forged.
In a statement signed by Bolaji Abdullahi, the party’s national publicity secretary, ADC described the silence of the Tinubu administration as “proof of its ample tolerance for corruption of all kinds”.
The party said it was “a great disservice to the country” to have someone accused of presenting false academic documents leading a ministry responsible for driving research, innovation, and knowledge development.
“Despite mounting evidence and public outrage, the Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Mr. Uche Nnaji, remains in office after being accused and subsequently admitting that the certificates he presented were not issued by the relevant institutions and may have been forged,” the statement reads.
ADC referenced reports that both the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) had officially disowned the certificates Nnaji submitted, adding that the minister’s own court filings acknowledged that UNN never issued him a degree.
The party questioned why the minister had not resigned and why the Tinubu administration had not taken disciplinary action, saying such silence “makes a mockery” of the government’s anti-corruption posture.
“If the Minister is not honourable enough to resign, why is the Tinubu administration still keeping him in office?” the ADC asked.
“By refusing to act, the Tinubu government and the APC are admitting their complicity in such fraudulent conduct at the highest levels of their government.”
Abdullahi stated that the credibility of governance depends on the integrity of those who occupy leadership positions, stressing that “Nigerians cannot be expected to trust a government that is populated by people who have lied under oath about their qualifications.”
He described the situation as “deeply unfortunate and reflective of the moral compass of this APC government and its scant regard for both integrity and knowledge acquisition.”
ADC urged President Tinubu to immediately suspend Nnaji pending a full, independent investigation, and demanded that if found guilty, he should face dismissal and prosecution for forgery and perjury.
“Certificate forgery is not a clerical error; it is a crime. If proven, it must attract the full weight of the law,” Abdullahi said.
“The longer the Tinubu government delays action, the clearer it becomes that integrity and accountability have no place in its leadership consideration.”
The party also called on the senate and the Department of State Services (DSS), both responsible for screening and vetting ministerial nominees, to review their procedures and take responsibility for oversight failures.
“A Senate that has obliged itself unreservedly to the will of the President is liable to fail in its duty to the people,” he added.
