Former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, has quietly dumped the ruling APC for the PDP amid the lingering controversy surrounding allegations that he forged his academic and NYSC certificates.
According to PREMIUM TIMES, Nnaji, who contested the 2023 Enugu State governorship election under the APC, allegedly made the switch quietly without publicly announcing either his resignation from the ruling party or his entry into the PDP.
His relationship with the APC reportedly became uncertain after he resigned as minister in October, just days after PREMIUM TIMES published an investigation accusing him of forging his University of Nigeria, Nsukka degree certificate and NYSC certificate.
Although the former minister has remained silent on the development, he has recently been seen at political meetings involving his supporters and members of the PDP in Enugu State.
Samuel Anyanwu, the national secretary of the PDP faction aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, confirmed on Sunday that Nnaji had joined the opposition party.
However, Anyanwu said he could not confirm whether the former minister had obtained the PDP’s expression of interest and nomination forms ahead of the party’s governorship primary in Enugu.
Efforts to get clarification from Nnaji’s spokesperson, Robert Ngwu, were unsuccessful as calls and text messages sent to him were not answered.
Meanwhile, PREMIUM TIMES gathered that Nnaji recently launched the Uche Ndi Enugu Grassroots Movement, a political support group backing his reported 2027 governorship ambition in Enugu State.
The former minister also reportedly spoke about his plans for the state should he emerge governor.
Earlier in April, Sun newspaper reported that Nnaji promised to serve only one term if elected governor in 2027.
“I want to state this clearly and without any ambiguity; I will serve only one term of four years if elected governor in 2027,” Mr Nnaji pledged, arguing that he does not need more than four years to turn things around in Enugu.
Despite the pledge and increasing political activities within PDP circles, Nnaji has yet to officially declare his defection from the APC.
The former minister is currently being investigated by the ICPC over allegations of certificate forgery.
PREMIUM TIMES had earlier reported that the anti-corruption agency commenced an investigation into the matter in February, with sources indicating that prosecution could follow if the allegations are proven.
In March, the newspaper also reported that an investigative panel established by the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, concluded that Nnaji forged both his university degree and NYSC certificates…See More
