A civil society organisation, Defence for Democracy, has criticised the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for clearing former Minister of Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, to contest the forthcoming governorship primaries in Enugu State despite allegations surrounding his academic credentials.

The group warned that the PDP could be exposing itself to a major political and legal crisis if the former minister eventually emerges as the party’s governorship candidate and the credential controversy resurfaces in court.

In a statement by the organisation’s National President, Dr. Emeka Nwachukwu, the group questioned the credibility of the PDP screening process and accused the party of overlooking serious integrity concerns surrounding the former minister.

The organisation said Nnaji, who recently resigned from President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet, remains under investigation over alleged forged credentials.

“We therefore find it strange that people can move from controversy to ambition without addressing the questions hanging over their names,” the group stated.

According to the organisation, the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, could use the allegations as grounds to push for accelerated court proceedings capable of overturning any eventual victory secured by the former minister.

“Because we are all in this country, and we know that in an event that this former minister wins, there will be an accelerated hearing that will hand over that victory to the APC,” the statement added.

The group said leadership must be rooted in trust, integrity and credibility, insisting that the people of Enugu State deserve leaders whose records can withstand public scrutiny without controversy.

“We believe firmly that Enugu deserves honest leadership, grassroots connection, and a leader who understands the pains of the people, and there are many such people,” they said.

The organisation also urged Nnaji to clear his name before pursuing his governorship ambition further, describing the allegations and public reports surrounding his credentials as too serious to ignore.

It further called on the PDP national leadership to intervene before the issue develops into what it described as avoidable embarrassment for the party.

“We are watching events in Enugu and other parts of the country, and we would have issued this statement to congratulate the Enugu State chapter of the party if it screened out the former minister, because there is a moral burden there which is far beyond what the courts might eventually pronounce,” the statement said. (Vanguard)

Update news