Disgraced former Minister of Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, has emerged as the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) faction backed by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike.
Nnaji, who resigned from President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet last year over alleged certificate forgery, emerged winner of the PDP faction’s governorship primary election held in Enugu on Monday.
The ex-minister polled a total of 7,424 votes to defeat another aspirant, Samson Nnamani, who scored 600 votes.
Addressing newsmen during the election at his ward, Nnaji claimed he only need a single term in office.
He vowed to recover, rebuild, and industralise Enugu within four years, stressing that those seeking eight years in office has nothing to offer the state.
Meanwhile, Nnaji refuted claims of vying for the governorship seat for money.
“I am so rich. If they understand that I’m so rich, they will know that I don’t have anything to lose.
“I am coming for recovery, to recover Enugu state; to rebuild Enugu State; and to industrialise Enugu state. I don’t need more than four years.
“What am I doing with more than four years? I have my life and enjoyment to live.
“I’ve been a very quiet man. I’m an introvert. I’ve been a quiet man enjoying myself. Politics is not enjoyment, but I’m coming for recovery.
“That is what I’m here for. People that need eight years, ten years, 100 years are people that won’t do any work.” The former minister said.
NPO Reported that Nnaji had in October 2025 resigned following controversies which emerged over his alleged forgery of his Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) as well as his National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) certificate.
This followed an exclusive investigation by the Premium Times which indicated the ex-minister of the certificate forgery scandal.
According to the investigation, the UNN disowned the certificate in the possession of Nnaji, saying the politician did not complete his studies at the institution and was never issued a certificate.
Prior to his resignation, Nnaji had denied the allegation, accusing the university of indulging itself in political games to political interests.
The ex-minister held that the allegations were borne out of plot to sabotage his candidacy in the 2027 Enugu State gubernatorial election.
Nnaji would further drag UNN to court in February 2026.
The ex-minister sought the leave to issue a prerogative writ of mandamus compelling the university and its officials to release his academic transcript to him and asked the Minister of Education and the NUC to exercise their supervisory powers to compel UNN to do so.
He equally sought an interim injunction restraining UNN and its officials from “tampering” with his academic records pending the determination of the substantive suit, among others.
During the hearing of the suit in April, Nnaji’s counsels applied for an out-of-court settlement with the UNN.