ADC condemns government’s silence on certificate scandal
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has expressed disappointment and concern over President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s continued retention of the Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Uche Nnaji, despite serious allegations of certificate forgery.
In a statement released on Monday, the party accused the Tinubu administration of showing comfort with corruption and a blatant disregard for integrity.
Signed by ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the statement highlighted that even after mounting evidence and public outrage, Nnaji remains in office despite admitting that some of the certificates he submitted may have been forged and were not issued by the relevant educational institutions.
Allegations backed by academic and legal findings
According to the ADC, credible reports from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) have disowned the certificates submitted by Nnaji for his appointment. Furthermore, court filings by the minister himself reportedly indicate that the University of Nigeria never issued him a degree certificate.
This situation raises fundamental questions about the standards of accountability and vetting in the current administration. The ADC asked, “If the minister is not honourable enough to resign, why is the Tinubu government still keeping him in office?”
Pattern of certificate scandals under APC government
The ADC stated that this is not an isolated incident but part of a larger pattern within the All Progressives Congress (APC) government. The party alleged that certificate scandals and dubious academic claims among top officials are common, which they claim reflects the party’s comfort with dishonesty and disregard for ethical governance.
“These repeated controversies show that the party is comfortable with deceit and completely unconcerned about basic ethical standards,” the statement added.
Minister’s position questioned amid integrity concerns
The party described the appointment of someone with questionable academic credentials to lead a ministry responsible for science, technology, and innovation as a disservice to Nigeria’s development. It emphasized that this situation tarnishes the government’s moral standing and undermines public trust.
ADC urged President Tinubu to take immediate action by suspending the minister and ordering an independent investigation into the allegations. The statement warned that, if found guilty, Nnaji should be dismissed and prosecuted for forgery and perjury.
Call for stronger screening and accountability measures
In addition to criticizing the executive branch, the ADC called on the Nigerian Senate and the Department of State Services (DSS) to review their screening processes for political appointees. The party argued that the failure to detect such discrepancies reflects significant weaknesses in the current vetting mechanisms.
“Certificate forgery is not a clerical error; it is a crime,” the statement stressed. “If proven, it must attract the full weight of the law. The longer the Tinubu government delays action, the clearer it becomes that integrity and accountability have no place in its leadership considerations.”
Public reaction and political implications
The controversy surrounding Minister Nnaji has stirred public debate about ethical standards in government appointments. Many Nigerians have expressed frustration with what they perceive as a lack of seriousness in addressing corruption allegations, especially among top officials.
Observers believe that how the Tinubu administration handles this matter could influence public confidence not only in the government’s commitment to anti-corruption but also in its broader reform agenda.
