A civil society organisation, the Defence for Democracy, has warned the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) against clearing former Minister of Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, to contest the primaries for the forthcoming governorship elections in Enugu State.
Saturday Telegraph recalls that Nnaji resigned from President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet over allegations of forgery and is currently being investigated by relevant authorities.
The Defence for Democracy in a statement by its National President, Dr Emeka Nwachukwu, accused the PDP of working for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
According to him, “leadership must be built on trust, integrity, and credibility,” adding that the people of Enugu State deserve leaders whose records could withstand public scrutiny without fear or controversy.
The organisation stated that with the former minister’s clearance, the APC will have sufficient grounds to fast-track accelerated hearing of the alleged forgery case against him, and might overturn any victory in his name should he win the 2027 governorship election.
“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.
“From our findings, there are people who represent a great future, and as an organisation, we stand for good governance, and when our findings throw up people of impeccable character, we naturally step in to ensure that they excel.
“We therefore find it strange that people can move from controversy to ambition without addressing the questions hanging over their names,” the group stated.
It called on the former minister to immediately clear his name before joining the race, stressing that the allegations and public reports surrounding his academic credentials are too weighty to be ignored.
The group called on the PDP National Secretariat to intervene in the matter and save the party from embarrassment.
“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 had screened out the former minister, because there is a moral burden there, which is far beyond what the courts might eventually pradded.ĺe,” the statement added.
