The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of being a “haven for certificate forgers,” following allegations that former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, presented forged academic and NYSC certificates during his ministerial screening.
In a statement on Wednesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC criticised President Bola Tinubu’s handling of the case, saying that merely accepting Nnaji’s resignation instead of ordering a probe suggested leniency toward misconduct.
“The APC has normalised deceit, turning it into a defining trait while providing refuge for individuals with dubious integrity and forged credentials,” the statement read.
Nnaji resigned on Tuesday after an investigation by Premium Times alleged that both the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and the NYSC disowned the certificates he submitted.
The ADC condemned the decision to allow the former minister to resign quietly after admitting the certificates were not authentic.
“This sends the wrong message to Nigerians, especially the youth, that dishonesty carries no consequence in public life,” the party said, urging security agencies to investigate the case.
It added that resignation does not absolve criminal liability, insisting that if Nnaji is found guilty, he should face prosecution. The party also questioned President Tinubu’s anti-corruption stance, warning that inaction could erode public trust in his administration.
In his response, Nnaji denied wrongdoing, saying his resignation was not an admission of guilt but a “principled decision” to allow due process.
“After deep reflection and consultations, I decided to step aside to preserve the integrity of the judicial process. The allegations are politically motivated and malicious,” he said in a statement.
Nnaji expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for the opportunity to serve and pledged continued support for the administration’s innovation agenda.
Meanwhile, the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) condemned the Presidency, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigerian Senate for what it described as a “shameful institutional failure” in Nnaji’s appointment.
HEDA’s Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, said the case exposed the rot in Nigeria’s vetting process, accusing the DSS of negligence and possible complicity.
“It is disheartening that President Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and the DSS ignored clear red flags and public outcry over Mr. Nnaji’s forged credentials,” Suraju said.
He noted that HEDA had petitioned both the Presidency and the Senate in June 2024, urging an investigation and suspension of Nnaji, but the warnings were ignored.
While describing Nnaji’s resignation as “necessary but belated,” Suraju insisted that accountability must go beyond stepping down.
“Resignation does not erase the crime of forgery. Those who enabled this fraud within the Presidency, DSS, and Senate must also be held accountable,” he stated.
HEDA urged the President to direct the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the case, while commending Premium Times for its investigative work in uncovering the forgery scandal.