The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Geoffrey Nnaji, has accused Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State of “sponsoring allegations of certificate forgery” against him.
Speaking in Abuja yesterday through his spokesperson, Dr. Robert Ngwu, the Minister claimed the “unfounded allegation” was a “political witch-hunt” orchestrated by the Governor.
Ngwu asserted that the Governor’s intention was to secure a second term and possibly join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), a party where Nnaji is already a strong member.
Read Also: He Did Not Graduate – UNN Disowns Minister Uche Nnaji’s Degree Certificate
Ngwu claimed:“Mbah wants Nnaji out of the way. He has given a new name to all his problems. He is seeking a second term in office and the only way to achieve this is to get Nnaji out of the way. He wants to join APC but fully aware that Nnaji is there. He is not comfortable,”
The Minister’s reaction follows allegations by an online medium that he forged the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) credentials he submitted for his ministerial screening.
Nnaji, through his spokesperson, called on the UNN authorities to “uphold its proud motto and reclaim its integrity by distancing itself from political manipulation by reaffirming the authenticity of its own official record.”
He insisted that the controversy was not just about his record but “about protecting truth, preserving institutional honour and ensuring that no university in Nigeria ever becomes a pawn in partisan politics.”
Ngwu maintained that the Minister “remained a proud alumnus of the university, having graduated in July 1985 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology/Biochemistry.”
This, he claimed, was “documented in the institution’s records, acknowledged in its official correspondence and reflected in its 1985 Convocation Brochure.”
While Ngwu insisted that the Minister was issued a certificate on graduation (which allowed him to enroll for the NYSC), he contradicted recent reports by saying “the only authentic letter issued by the university on this matter is the one dated December 21, 2023,” a letter which previously affirmed his graduation.
Ngwu placed the blame for the discrepancy on the school authorities, particularly the Vice Chancellor, whom he alleged is a “card-carrying member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)” and was being “used by the governor to destroy the minister.”
Regarding the legal action, the spokesman said Nnaji sought legal redress when he “got wind of attempts within the university to tamper with his academic file.”
He confirmed the court, on September 22, granted an injunction restraining the Vice Chancellor and management from “tampering with his academic records,” and also granted an order of mandamus compelling the school to release his academic transcript, which he claimed the school has refused to obey.
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