The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has spoken out against the alleged certificate forgery by Nigeria’s Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Uche Nnaji. Investigative reports have suggested that the documents submitted by the Minister during his screening were falsified, claiming he never received a certificate from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, which he alleged as his alma mater.
According to reports, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has disowned the certificates presented by the Minister for his appointment. The ADC has expressed that it is not surprised by President Bola Tinubu’s decision to retain the Minister despite these allegations. In a statement, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, described the government’s silence as indicative of its tolerance for corruption.
The ADC questioned the Minister’s continued tenure, asking why the Tinubu administration has not taken action against him. By not acting, the party suggests that the government is complicit in the alleged fraudulent conduct and undermining its claims to fight corruption. The opposition party has called for the Minister’s immediate suspension pending a full, independent investigation. If found guilty, the ADC recommends that he should be dismissed and face prosecution for forgery and perjury.
The allegations against the Minister have sparked concerns about the government’s commitment to combating corruption. The ADC’s statement highlights the need for accountability and transparency in public office. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the government will respond to these allegations and whether the Minister will face any consequences. The incident has also raised questions about the effectiveness of the country’s verification processes for public officials and the potential consequences of falsifying documents.