Chief Uche Nnaji, former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, has won the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship primary in Enugu State. He received 7,424 votes, defeating Samson Nnamani, who scored 600 votes, in the primary election held on Monday in Enugu. The process was overseen by Austin Nwachukwu, chairman of the PDP's Enugu State Gubernatorial Committee. In his acceptance speech, Nnaji dedicated the victory to God and the people of Enugu, accusing the current administration of imposing excessive taxes on residents. He cited landlords, hotel operators, commercial motorcyclists, and even water hawkers as groups bearing the burden of taxation. Nnaji pledged to ease the financial strain on citizens, promising to create industries to generate employment and curb youth restiveness. He referenced former governor Jim Nwobodo as the only leader who previously built industries in the state, and condemned the alleged mismanagement of such facilities. Nnaji committed to serving only one term if elected in 2027. He also vowed to improve living conditions within four years. Nwachukwu praised the conduct of party members during the primary, describing the result as evidence of PDP's growing strength and readiness to win in 2027. Nnaji's tenure as minister ended two years into President Bola Tinubu's administration following allegations of certificate forgery. An investigation by PREMIUM TIMES revealed that Nnaji allegedly submitted forged National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and university degree certificates during his ministerial screening.
Uche Nnaji's emergence as PDP's candidate comes two years after he resigned as minister over forged certificate allegations, raising questions about the party's standards for leadership. He now campaigns on restoring dignity to Enugu's people while his own credentials remain clouded by unresolved forgery claims. His promise of a one-term limit contrasts with his past pursuit of high office under questionable eligibility. Voters must weigh his industrialisation message against the integrity of the man delivering it.
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