The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticized President Bola Tinubu’s handling of a certificate forgery scandal involving former Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Geoffrey Nnaji. The party insists that forgery is a criminal act that must be prosecuted, not pardoned.

In a statement, the ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, described the president’s decision to merely accept Nnaji’s resignation as “weak and disappointing.” This move, according to the party, suggests that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is not serious about fighting corruption. By not taking firm action against the former minister, President Tinubu has created the impression that he is sympathetic to such misconduct.

The scandal revolves around Nnaji’s admission that his certificates were fake, a fact confirmed by the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), which both disowned the certificates he presented for his ministerial appointment. The ADC views this as a disturbing pattern that reflects the APC’s history of being linked to certificate scandals, thereby making dishonesty a defining feature of its administration.

The party argues that if President Tinubu cannot act decisively in this clear case, it undermines the credibility of his government’s commitment to fighting corruption. The ADC is calling for relevant law enforcement agencies to pursue an independent investigation into the matter, emphasizing that resignation does not erase criminal liability. According to the party, forgery is a crime, and if found guilty, Nnaji should be prosecuted in accordance with the law. Anything less would amount to a cover-up.

This development has significant implications for the fight against corruption in Nigeria, a country where the issue remains a major challenge. The ADC’s stance highlights the need for transparency and accountability in public service, emphasizing that dishonesty should not go unpunished. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the law enforcement agencies will respond to the ADC’s call for an independent investigation, and what consequences, if any, Nnaji will face.