Minister Uche Nnaji Accuses Enugu Governor Peter Mbah of Sponsoring Blackmail Over UNN Certificate Controversy

The Minister of Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, has accused the Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, of being behind the ongoing controversy surrounding his academic qualifications from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).

Speaking through his Technical Assistant, Dr. Robert Ngwu, on Monday in Abuja, the Minister alleged that Governor Mbah’s fear of his growing political influence and possible challenge in the 2027 Governorship election prompted the campaign of blackmail against him.

According to Ngwu, “the fear of losing the 2027 Governorship election to the Minister, if he decides to contest in the election, precipitated the resort to blackmail the minister, using every available means, including launching orchestrated media campaign to falsely and maliciously malign and blackmail the minister.”

He linked the recent wave of “media blackmail” to what he described as “orchestrated plots to ensure the minister doesn’t emerge as the Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the 2027 governorship election in Enugu State.”

Ngwu further dismissed the credibility of a letter purportedly issued by UNN and used by an online platform, Premium Times, to challenge the Minister’s certificate, noting that the publication was based on falsehood. He explained that the letter contradicted an earlier official response dated December 21, 2023, from the same university to Samuel Ogundipe of People’s Gazette, which confirmed Nnaji as a bona fide 1985 graduate of Microbiology/Biochemistry.

“What changed between December 2023 and May 2025,” Ngwu queried, “is that two card-carrying members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) suddenly emerged as Acting Vice-Chancellor and then as substantive Vice-Chancellor of the University.”

He added that “by academic convention worldwide, the Registrar, not the Vice-Chancellor, is the custodian of all examination and graduation records,” stressing that “any attempt by a Vice-Chancellor to assume that role is an annotation in university protocol and, in this case, an obvious political overreach.”

Ngwu further disclosed that “earlier this year, he requested for transcript from the university and even with the court order, we have not received it from the university in spite of a court order.”

Reiterating the Minister’s integrity and service record, Dr. Ngwu stated: “Uche Nnaji been Commissioner for Education in Enugu State for six years; Secretary to the Government (SSG) of Enugu State; former Director-General of the Nigerian Governors Forum, before his appointment as Minister.”

He continued, “When he was appointed minister, he was screened by the DSS and other security agencies. He submitted his certificates to them and he was cleared.

“We don’t want a situation where people will come and tarnish the image of the institution.

“If you look at within the weekend, there is a barrage, the Hon. Minister is a perfect gentleman and has built his reputation over time and it will be unfair for anybody to tarnish the good image of the minister.”

Ngwu insisted that the attacks are politically motivated, alleging that “we have no doubt that all these are coming from the Governor of Enugu State. He wants to come for a second term like every other governor and he feels the only way to do it is get Uche Nnaji out of the way.

“He wants to join APC and he feels the minister must be kicked out of the way. We have it on good authority that he wants to join APC.”

Ngwu also reminded that since his graduation, “except in 1999 when he ran for the Senate and became Senator-elect and stepped down for Senator Jim Nwobodo, he has remained in the private sector.”

The controversy over Nnaji’s UNN certificate continues to generate heated political reactions both in Enugu and at the federal level, with observers describing the matter as another flashpoint in the unfolding rivalry between the Minister and Governor Mbah ahead of the 2027 elections.