Uche Nnaji, a former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, is reportedly pursuing the governorship of Enugu State with intense determination despite an ongoing certificate forgery scandal. This ambition has come under scrutiny following a detailed investigation by PREMIUM TIMES in October 2025, which revealed that Nnaji had allegedly forged his degree and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificates. These forged documents were reportedly submitted to President Bola Tinubu and the Nigerian Senate during his ministerial confirmation process. Nnaji subsequently resigned from his ministerial position three days after the investigation's publication.

Following his resignation, Mr. Nnaji transitioned from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), under which he unsuccessfully contested the 2023 Enugu State governorship election, to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). On Monday, he emerged as the governorship candidate for the Nyesom Wike-backed PDP faction, aiming for the 2027 general election. This move is particularly controversial as he remains under investigation by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for the certificate forgery.

PREMIUM TIMES exclusively reported in February that the ICPC initiated an investigation into Mr. Nnaji’s forgery scandal. Insiders suggested that prosecution could follow if the investigation confirms the allegations. Further compounding his legal troubles, an investigative panel established by Nigeria’s Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, concluded in March that Mr. Nnaji indeed forged both his degree and NYSC certificates.

Multiple reliable sources from the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, the Ministry of Education, and individuals close to Mr. Nnaji have shed light on the compelling reasons behind his desperate gubernatorial ambition. It is understood that Mr. Nnaji is acutely aware of the ongoing ICPC investigation and fears potential prosecution and imprisonment, which would effectively bar him from holding future public office. These sources indicate his primary motivation is to secure the immunity from prosecution that the Nigerian Constitution grants to serving governors.

Section 308 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution, as amended, provides comprehensive immunity from civil and criminal proceedings for serving presidents, vice-presidents, governors, and deputy governors. Specifically, Section 360 (1) (a – c) states that no civil or criminal proceedings shall be instituted or continued against such officials during their tenure, nor shall they be arrested or imprisoned, or compelled to appear in court. Mr. Nnaji reportedly believes that becoming governor would protect him for at least four years, and potentially eight if he secures a second term, by which time those investigating or prosecuting him might no longer be in power.

Another significant concern for Mr. Nnaji is the possibility that the federal government might act on the findings of the Ministry of Education's panel. Associates suggest he is troubled by the prospect of the federal government referring these findings to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for prosecution. Furthermore, there are reports that the Enugu State Government may seek a fiat to prosecute him, especially since the alleged forgery occurred at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), a federal university located in Enugu State. The DPP and the Enugu State Ministry of Justice are reportedly considering seeking a warrant for criminal misconduct against the former minister.

This strategy of seeking political office to avoid prosecution is not unprecedented in Nigerian politics. Several instances illustrate how politicians under investigation or trial have had their cases withdrawn upon assuming positions that confer constitutional immunity. For example, Bala Mohammed, after serving as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, faced an EFCC investigation for alleged financial crimes. However, upon his election as Bauchi State governor in 2019, the EFCC dropped the case, aligning with the constitutional provision for gubernatorial immunity. Similarly, Theodore Orji was arrested by the EFCC in 2007 while serving as chief of staff in Abia State, facing allegations of conspiracy and money laundering. Despite being in custody, he emerged as the governorship candidate and won the April 2007 election from prison. Upon being sworn in as governor, he gained constitutional immunity under Section 308, leading the EFCC to withdraw his name from active criminal charges, thereby allowing him to govern.