Ahead of the resumed trial of former minister of Innovation, science and Technology, Uche Nnaji on Monday at the Federal High Court in Abuja, a civil society organisation has again warned that fielding a candidate moral baggages will have negative effect on the campaign and elections .
The trial in the certificate forgery and corruption case involving the former Minister was adjourned until September 21, 2026, by the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Uche Nnaji, 63, former minister served from August 2023 to October 2025 before resigning amid credential scrutiny.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) prepared a six-count charge including alleged forgery of a University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) degree and an NYSC discharge certificate, abuse of office, and unlawfully collecting around N29.5 million in salaries.
Nnaji pleaded not guilty and was granted bail by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik in the sum of N20 million with a strict requirement for a Grade Level 15 federal civil servant surety and the submission of his travel documents.
In a press statement, the Defence for Democracy expressed sadness that at the time other candidates have commenced campaigns ahead of the 2027 elections, Chief Uche Nnaji is being held down on account of endless litigations that bother on integrity and alleged criminal behaviour.
National President of the organisation Dr. Emeka Nwachukwu emphasized that personal ambition must be allowed to override public interest and advised the former minister to withdraw his candidature and save his party’s supporters in the state the headache of having to campaign for somebody with such alleged criminal and moral baggages.
“We have said it before and we want to say it again that politics and public office should be about the people,but what we see is the desperation and personal ambition of Nnaji at the detriment of millions of PDP supporters .”
The organisation insisted that the APC will have sufficient grounds to fast-track accelerated hearing of the forgery case and eventually upturn any victory in the name of the former minister should he wins.
We have said leadership must be built on trust, integrity, and credibility. The people of Enugu State deserve leaders whose records can withstand public scrutiny without fear or 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 and it is not late . There is time to do what is right so that the party will have a moral standing to campaign but right now it is being tied down.”
The argued that a quick and timely withdrawal or substitution of the former minister will be in the overall interest of the party’s supporters in the state .