The (ADC) has accused the administration of of treating the alleged certificate forgery involving former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, , with levity, describing the ruling (APC) as a “nest of certificate forgers.”
The party said the development was indicative of the administration’s unwillingness to take decisive action on matters of integrity in public service. Checks revealed that Nnaji has already tendered his resignation letter.
In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC described the President’s response as weak and disappointing, stressing that a government that claims to uphold integrity cannot afford to treat criminal conduct like a personal matter.
“The ADC believes that the decision of President Tinubu to merely accept the offending former minister’s resignation instead of taking a tougher stance gives the unfortunate impression that the President is sympathetic to such behaviour,” the statement read.
The party further expressed outrage over the manner in which the matter was handled.
“We are equally appalled that the Minister was allowed to quietly resign after publicly admitting that the certificates he presented were not issued by the relevant institutions. This sends the wrong message to Nigerians, especially the youth, that dishonesty carries no consequence in public life.”
The ADC noted that both (UNN) and (NYSC) officially disowned the certificates presented by Nnaji for his ministerial screening. It added that court filings by the Minister himself confirmed that UNN never awarded him any degree certificate.
“In this regard, by simply accepting his resignation, President Tinubu has shown that for whatever reason, his administration is willing to let corrupt officials off the hook easily and he is not willing to set example for those who serve under him that dishonesty has serious consequences,” the statement added.
The ADC stressed that this was not an isolated incident but part of a “troubling pattern” that has trailed the APC-led government since its inception.
“From one certificate scandal to another, Nigerians have watched the APC turn dishonesty into an identity, offering sanctuary to people with questionable integrity and forged credentials. Indeed, if the President cannot act firmly in a case that was this clear, how can Nigerians trust his government to fight corruption in any other form?”
The party therefore called on relevant law enforcement agencies to carry out an independent investigation into the matter, insisting that resignation does not erase criminal liability.
“Forgery is not a private offence, it is a crime. If found guilty, Mr. Nnaji should be prosecuted in accordance with the law. Anything less will amount to a cover-up,” the ADC stated.
