From Chibuzor Onyia
In every society, there comes a time when truth is deliberately twisted, when lies are manufactured with such venom that they become weapons in the hands of desperate political actors. The resignation of Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, former Honourable Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, stands as one of those tragic moments in Nigeria’s political landscape. His voluntary decision to throw in the towel—despite having an unblemished record of service and a strong legal case—is not a confession of guilt but rather a noble act of sacrifice to shield the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu from unnecessary distractions. To paint him otherwise, as sections of the media have wickedly done, is nothing short of a grand betrayal of truth, fairness, and humanity.
The so-called “certificate saga” that has been hurled against Nnaji is nothing but a malicious fabrication, a sustained and orchestrated campaign of calumny designed to tarnish his hard-earned name. The Nigerian media, which ought to be the beacon of fairness and a defender of truth, has instead reduced itself to the gutter—becoming a willing tool in the hands of political adversaries who find delight in character assassination. It is a shame, a colossal shame, that rather than investigate with objectivity, some journalists turned themselves into attack dogs, spreading half-truths and outright lies as though they were gospel. Their reckless headlines, their feverish appetite for sensationalism, and their deliberate attempt to misinform the public have sown confusion in the land.
One fact must not be lost in this maelstrom of lies: the matter is before a competent court of law. In every civilized democracy, when an issue is before the courts, society waits. The judicial process is respected, and the court is allowed to pronounce judgment. But not in Nigeria. Here, a mob-driven media trial has replaced the sanctity of due process. Instead of allowing the court to separate truth from falsehood, these naysayers have rushed to the public square, shouting “crucify him!” without a shred of evidence. It is as though we live in a jungle where accusation alone is enough to destroy reputations painstakingly built over decades.
For more than fifty years, Uche Nnaji has lived a life of integrity. From his youthful days, through his career as a successful businessman, a community leader, and later as a political figure, he has stood tall as a man of honour. His name has never been associated with scandal or fraud. His investments in Enugu and beyond speak to a man who believes in development and in empowering people. His political journey, though turbulent at times, has always been guided by his belief in justice, fairness, and service to humanity. It is therefore sickening—yes, sickening—that his detractors have chosen to drag such a noble man through the mud of cheap propaganda.
And let us be clear: this is political persecution. There are strong indications that the government of Enugu State, threatened by Nnaji’s towering influence and his refusal to bow to their antics, has a hand in this coordinated onslaught. The timing, the intensity, and the persistence of the attacks bear all the hallmarks of a calculated political plot. Uche Nnaji has always been a formidable figure in Enugu politics, a man with grassroots appeal and a loyal following. His presence alone unsettles those who thrive on political intimidation. By sponsoring smear campaigns against him, they believe they can weaken his influence and silence his voice. But they are mistaken. History shows that truth, no matter how long it is suppressed, always rises.
Nowhere is Nnaji’s nobility more evident than in the press release he personally signed to announce his resignation. Reading through the statement, one cannot help but be moved by the humility, the dignity, and the depth of sacrifice it conveys. He wrote:
“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.”
These are not the words of a guilty man; these are the words of a statesman. They echo the spirit of men like Nelson Mandela, who chose personal sacrifice over selfish ambition. Nnaji has made it clear that his resignation is not an admission of wrongdoing but a gesture to protect the Tinubu administration from needless distraction. What could be nobler? What could be more patriotic? Only a man of deep conscience could take such a difficult step.
Let us not forget the other parts of his statement:
“Over the past week, an orchestrated 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.”
This is the painful reality we must confront. The media, driven by either political patronage or the desperate chase for traffic and sales, has waged war against a man whose only crime is daring to serve his country with sincerity. They have paraded themselves as judges and executioners, unrepentantly ignoring the fact that their reckless words destroy not only reputations but also families and legacies. The scars they leave behind are often irreparable. It is despicable, disgraceful, and dishonourable.
But Uche Nnaji is not broken. In his statement, he reminded us of his lifelong values:
“As someone who has spent more than five decades building a reputation anchored on hard work, honour, and service to humanity, I cannot in good conscience allow these distractions to cast a shadow over the noble objectives of this administration.”
These words remind us of the strength of character of the man we are talking about. This is someone who values his honour more than power, who cherishes service to humanity more than the trappings of office. How many public officials today would resign under such circumstances? Most would cling to power, even when drowning in scandal. But Nnaji chose the higher ground, proving once again that he is cut from a different cloth.
It must also be said that the so-called certificate controversy is nothing but hot air. From available facts, there is no credible evidence that Chief Nnaji forged or misrepresented his credentials. On the contrary, the allegations are riddled with inconsistencies and outright fabrications. In the absence of proof, why has the media rushed to declare him guilty? Why this indecent haste to destroy him before the courts even sit on the matter? The answer is simple: politics. This is a witch-hunt, dressed up as investigative journalism.
The Nigerian people must see through the lies. This is not just about Uche Nnaji; it is about the dangerous precedent we are setting as a nation. If media trials and sponsored propaganda are allowed to replace the courts, then no one is safe. Tomorrow, it could be any other public servant, any other innocent Nigerian, dragged to the slaughter slab of public opinion without trial.
Despite the pain, despite the injustice, Uche Nnaji has shown extraordinary grace. He has thanked President Tinubu for the opportunity to serve and has pledged his continued support for the administration’s transformative agenda. That is the measure of the man. He could have chosen bitterness. He could have lashed out at his enemies. Instead, he chose gratitude and loyalty. Such nobility is rare in our toxic political climate.
In the end, justice will speak. The courts will have their say, and the lies will crumble. History will vindicate Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji. Those who today pedal falsehood will one day hang their heads in shame. The media houses that lent themselves to this disgraceful persecution will be remembered, not for their journalism, but for their betrayal of truth.
For now, what Nigerians must do is simple: we must stand by Nnaji. We must honour his sacrifice and defend his integrity. He has laid down his office so that the nation may focus on governance rather than gossip. He has borne humiliation with dignity so that Nigeria may move forward. That is not weakness—it is strength of the highest order.
Let those who mocked him remember: the truth has a stubborn way of resurfacing. Lies may dominate the moment, but truth always wins the future. Chief Uche Nnaji is innocent, and time, as always, will prove it.
Ogbuefi Chibuzor Onyia is an Abuja based Publisher (INDIGO Newspaper), Politician & Analyst.
English