A civil society organisation, Defence for Democracy, has faulted the decision of the Peoples Democratic Party to clear former Minister of Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, to participate in the forthcoming governorship primaries in Enugu State despite allegations linked to his academic credentials.
The group warned that the party may be dragging itself into a serious political and legal battle if the former minister eventually emerges as the governorship candidate and the controversy surrounding his credentials resurfaces during litigation.
In a statement issued by its National President, Dr. Emeka Nwachukwu, the organisation questioned the credibility of the PDP’s screening process, accusing the party of ignoring what it described as significant integrity concerns surrounding the former minister.
According to the group, Nnaji, who recently stepped down from the cabinet of President Bola Tinubu, is still facing scrutiny over allegations of forged academic credentials.
The organisation expressed concern that unresolved allegations of such magnitude should ordinarily be addressed before any fresh political ambition is pursued.
“We therefore find it strange that people can move from controversy to ambition without addressing the questions hanging over their names,” the statement read.
Defence for Democracy further alleged that the ruling All Progressives Congress could potentially rely on the allegations to pursue legal action capable of overturning any electoral victory secured by the former minister if he eventually contests and wins the governorship election.
“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 group stated.
The organisation stressed that leadership should be built on integrity, public trust and credibility, insisting that the people of Enugu State deserve leaders whose records can withstand public examination without controversy.
“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 statement added.
The group also urged Nnaji to clear his name over the allegations before continuing his governorship ambition, describing the reports and claims surrounding his credentials as too weighty to ignore.
In addition, Defence for Democracy called on the national leadership of the PDP to urgently intervene before the issue develops into what it described as an avoidable embarrassment capable of damaging the party’s image ahead of the elections.
“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 organisation concluded.
