The African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Wednesday criticized the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for serving as a haven for certificate forgers, alleging that the party continues to protect individuals with questionable academic records.
In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said President Bola Tinubu’s decision to merely accept the resignation of the former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, instead of ordering a thorough investigation, reflected tolerance for misconduct.
Nnaji resigned on Tuesday after a Premium Times investigation alleged that he submitted forged academic and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificates during his ministerial screening in 2023.
The report indicated that both the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and the NYSC disowned the certificates.
“The APC has normalised deceit, turning it into a defining trait while providing refuge for individuals with dubious integrity and forged credentials,” the ADC declared.
“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 statement continued.
The party called on law enforcement agencies to carry out an independent probe, emphasizing that resignation does not absolve one of criminal responsibility. “Forgery is a crime,” it said. “If found guilty, Mr. Nnaji should be prosecuted. Anything less will amount to a cover-up.”
The ADC further questioned President Tinubu’s commitment to fighting corruption, warning that his failure to act decisively in such a clear case undermines public trust in his administration’s integrity drive.
However, in a separate statement on Wednesday, Nnaji insisted that his resignation should not be interpreted as an admission of guilt.
In a press release personally signed on Tuesday and made available to journalists on Wednesday, Nnaji said he resigned due to a “sustained campaign of falsehood” against him and his office.
“After deep reflection and consultations with family, associates, and well-meaning Nigerians, I have tendered my resignation as Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology to President Bola Tinubu,” he said.
Nnaji described the allegations as “politically motivated and malicious,” explaining that he stepped aside to allow due process to prevail.
“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 stated.
He expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for the opportunity to serve and reaffirmed his support for the administration’s goals.
“His vision for a renewed, innovative, and technologically driven Nigeria is one I continue to hold dear,” he said. “I remain committed to supporting his administration and its transformative agenda.”
Meanwhile, the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) criticised the Presidency, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigerian Senate for what it called “gross dereliction of duty” in approving and confirming Nnaji’s appointment despite glaring warning signs.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, HEDA described the development as a “shameful institutional failure” that exposed the decay 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. “This incident not only erodes public trust but reinforces the perception that corruption and impunity remain the operating principles within Nigeria’s political leadership.”
The group recalled that it had written to both the President and the Senate as far back as June 2024, calling for an investigation into the forgery allegations and Nnaji’s suspension pending inquiry, but its petitions were ignored.
HEDA also accused the DSS of negligence, alleging that the agency failed to verify Nnaji’s documents or intentionally withheld evidence during the security screening process. “From Kemi Adeosun to Stella Oduah, and now Geoffrey Nnaji, this pattern of negligence has become too consistent to ignore,” it said.
While describing Nnaji’s resignation as “necessary but belated,” the organisation maintained that accountability must extend beyond resignation. “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 said.
HEDA urged President Tinubu to direct the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to conduct a full investigation and commended Premium Times for its investigative work in uncovering the scandal.
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