A Civil Society Organisation, The Defence for Democracy, has appealed to the leadership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), including the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Nyesome Wike, against fielding the former Minister of Science and Technology, Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, as a candidate for the Enugu Governorship polls in 2027.
It expressed concern that his protracted alleged forgery prosecution would hurt the party.
The group emphasised that there are two windows available for the PDP, which include uploading and substitution to field a formidable candidate that will win the election for the PDP.
It argued that Enugu State is the traditional home of the PDP, but only if a candidate without alleged criminal charges flies its flag.
Recall that the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission(ICPC) had arraigned the former minister Nnaji before an Abuja High Court over allegations of forged credentials.
Nnaji resigned from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s cabinet over similar allegations of forgery and was arrested by anti-corruption agencies at the Abuja Airport and charged in court.
The group, in a statement issued by its National President, Dr Emeka Nwachukwu, and made available to journalists in Abuja on Thursday, expressed concerns that the leadership of the PDP has not yet taken a firm decision to protect the integrity of the party despite its earlier warnings.
Reiterating its position following the commencement of the criminal trials against the former minister, the group maintained that trust building, integrity and credibility as qualities that attract fellowship are conspicuously absent, given the wealth of allegations against the former minister.
The organisation emphasised that the people of Enugu State deserve leaders whose records can withstand public scrutiny without fear or controversy.
Acknowledging that the allegations are not yet proven in court, it stated that the distractions and moral burden hurt the party and the candidate heading into the most critical part of the electioneering process ahead of the 2027 Governorship elections in the state.
It maintained that the PDP has a moral responsibility to raise the red flag on the former minister, adding that winning the election with him on the ballot will be nearly impossible.
The organisation argued that credible candidates such as Chief Samson Nnamani stand a brighter chance of winning the elections, having participated in all the processes outlined by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the amended Electoral Act.
“We are confident that the moral burden against the former minister is huge and that the commencement of the criminal charges against him makes his case worse even before a court judgement.
“So why take an unnecessary gamble in a game you can win if you fix your house in order.
“We are calling on the NWC and major stake holders of the party including the FCT minister to come to the rescue of the PDP in Enugu and do the needful and for the first time we are saying why can’t you go with Chief Sampson Chukwu Nnamani who has clean and excellence records instead of sticking with somebody with such baggages especially as an opposition party “, the group said.
