Former minister who resigned over certificate forgery allegations clinches Enugu governorship ticket

Former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, has emerged as the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Enugu State ahead of the 2027 election.

It will be recalled that two years into the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Nnaji was reportedly forced to step down as minister due to allegations of certificate forgery.

An investigation by Premium Times alleged that the former minister forged his degree and National Youth Service Corps certificates, which were submitted to President Tinubu and the Nigerian Senate during his ministerial screening and confirmation process.

In the primary election held in Enugu on Monday, Nnaji secured victory, polling 7,424 votes to defeat Mr Samson Nnamani, who garnered 600 votes.

The exercise was conducted by the Chairman of the State Gubernatorial Committee of the PDP, Austin Nwachukwu, according to a report by the News Agency of Nigeria.

In his acceptance speech shortly after emerging victorious, Nnaji expressed gratitude to party members for entrusting him with the mandate, assuring them that he would not take the opportunity for granted.

He pledged that his administration would work towards reducing the suffering of residents of Enugu State, particularly by ensuring that citizens were not subjected to what he described as excessive taxation.

“I give this victory to the glory of God and our Enugu people, who have been oppressed in the last three years and have been overburdened with excessive, obnoxious taxes,” Nnaji said.

“Landlords are paying through their nose, hoteliers are crying, commercial motorcyclists (okada riders) are out of existence, even people hawking water pay tax.

“These are the people that we should be giving money to. The government should make provision to pay money to the less privileged.”

The former minister said the vision behind his governorship ambition was centred on rebuilding and industrialising the state.

“And that is the fulcrum of this struggle. The struggle to recover Enugu State, the struggle to rebuild Enugu State and the struggle to industrialise Enugu State, so that we will arrest youth restiveness,” he stated.

Nnaji also promised to focus on job creation through industrial development if elected governor.

“We will build industries to give our people jobs. Jim Nwobodo was the only governor in this state who built industries,” he said.

He further described the alleged misappropriation of industries in the state as unacceptable, insisting that his administration would prioritise improving the living conditions of residents.

The PDP governorship candidate also promised that he would serve only one term in office if elected governor in 2027.

Earlier, the chairman of the electoral committee, Nwachukwu, commended party faithful for conducting themselves peacefully and orderly throughout the exercise.

The result is proof that PDP is not only waxing strong but is positioned to win the election in Enugu State in 2027,” Nwachukwu said.

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