By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has said that the it is not surprised that President Bola Tinubu has continued to retain the Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Uche Nnaji, in the federal government, even after the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and the NYSC had disowned the certificates he presented for his appointment.
The party said this in a statement on Monday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi in Abuja.
The coalition party described the Tinubu government’s silence on the matter as a proof of its ample tolerance for corruption of all kinds.
The party described as a great disservice to the country, which has many qualified citizens of competence and integrity, to have at the head of a ministry meant to drive innovation, a man tainted with such dubious credentials.
The statement reads in full, “The African Democratic Congress (ADC) is not surprised that 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.
“We note that this is not an isolated case. The APC government has had a long, public, and familiar record of certificate-related scandals and questionable academic claims among top officials. “These recurring scandals and the persistent stench of certificate forgery are indeed reflective of a party that is foundationally accommodating of deceit and clearly unbothered by basic ethical considerations.
“Credible public reports have revealed that both the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) have officially disowned the certificates Mr. Nnaji submitted for his ministerial appointment. Even more disturbing are his own court filings admitting that UNN never issued him any degree certificate.”
