Former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, has said that his resignation from office was not an admission of guilt.
Uche Nnaji resigned on Tuesday following the controversy surrounding his certificate, said to have been obtained from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Enugu State, as well as his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate.
While he maintains that he graduated from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka in 1975, a report indicates that the institution could not verify his academic records.
In a statement on Tuesday night, Nnaji admitted that the decision to resign from his position “did not come lightly.”
“My decision to step aside is therefore a personal choice — not an admission of guilt, but rather a principled decision to respect the sanctity of due process and to preserve the integrity of the judicial proceedings currently before the court. In the end, justice will prevail, and history will vindicate the just,” he said.
The former Minister also claimed that the certificate scandal was politically motivated by his opponents.
“Over the past week, an orchestrated and sustained campaign of falsehood, politically motivated and malicious attacks have been waged against my person, integrity, and office across print, electronic, and social media platforms,” he said.
“These unfounded allegations and media distortions have not only caused personal distress but have also begun to distract from the vital work of the Ministry and the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for the opportunity to serve in his cabinet and assured the President of his continued loyalty.
“I remain deeply grateful to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for the confidence he reposed in me and for the privilege to serve in his cabinet. His vision for a renewed, innovative, and technologically driven Nigeria is one I continue to hold dear, and I pledge my unflinching support to his administration and its transformative goals.”
Meanwhile, President Tinubu has accepted Nnaji’s resignation following the allegations against him.
In a statement by his media aide, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu thanked the former Minister for his service and wished him well in future endeavours.
He was appointed as the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology by Tinubu in August 2023.
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