Uche Nnaji Wins PDP Governorship Ticket Despite Forgery Controversy

Former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, has emerged as the governorship candidate of a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party in Enugu State ahead of the 2027 elections, despite lingering allegations of certificate forgery hanging over him.

The faction loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, conducted its governorship primary election in Enugu on Monday, where Nnaji polled 7,424 votes to defeat fellow aspirant Samson Nnamani, who secured 600 votes.

The exercise was supervised by the chairperson of the PDP governorship election committee in the state, Austin Nwachukwu.

Nnaji’s emergence comes months after allegations surrounding his academic credentials triggered national controversy and eventually forced him to resign from office as minister.

It was gathered that investigations conducted in 2025 alleged that the former minister forged both his degree certificate from the University of Nigeria and his National Youth Service Corps certificate, which he reportedly submitted during his ministerial screening and confirmation process.

The allegations generated widespread public reactions and intensified scrutiny over the authenticity of his academic records.

The former minister resigned from President Tinubu’s cabinet shortly after the controversy became public.

Subsequently, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission was said to have commenced investigations into the alleged forgery scandal, while insiders familiar with the matter disclosed that he could face prosecution if found culpable.

It was also gathered that an investigative panel reportedly set up by the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, allegedly concluded that the former minister forged both his degree and NYSC certificates.

The controversy deepened after authorities at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka reportedly stated that although Nnaji was admitted into the institution in 1981, he neither graduated nor received any degree certificate from the university.

 The National Youth Service Corps authorities were also said to have disowned the discharge certificate linked to the former minister.

Despite the allegations and ongoing investigations, Nnaji defected from the All Progressives Congress to the PDP and sustained his governorship ambition.

In his acceptance speech after the primary election, Nnaji promised that if elected governor in 2027, his administration would focus on reducing hardship and what he described as excessive taxation in Enugu State. “I give this victory to the glory of God and our Enugu people, who have been oppressed in the last three years and overburdened with excessive taxes,” he said.

 He stated that landlords, hoteliers, commercial motorcyclists and small-scale traders in the state were facing severe economic pressure under the current tax regime. According to him, his administration would prioritize industrialization, job creation and economic empowerment for residents.

 Nnaji also restated his promise to serve only one term of four years if elected governor, insisting that meaningful reforms and development could still be achieved within a single tenure.

 The development is expected to generate fresh political debate within Enugu State and beyond, especially as investigations into the forgery allegations remain unresolved.