Nnaji, Former Minister, Challenges Gov Mbah; Pledges To Serve One Term

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Despite the controversy surrounding his University certificate which led to his shameful exit from the cabinet of President Bola Tinubu, immediate past Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, has thrown his hat into the gubernatorial ring of Enugu State with a declaration to serve only one term if elected .

At an interactive session with supporters, stakeholders and political mobilisers from across the State, Nnaji insisted that four years is enough time for him to achieve his blueprint for  sustainable growth and development of Enugu state.

The Source reports that Nnaji was, late 2025, forced to resign  his appointment as a Minister in President Tinubu’s administration, following heated controversies surrounding his University of Nigeria, Nsukka certificate .

Although the University authorities have maintained that the former Minister could not finish his programme of studies to earn a certificate, he  however, insisted otherwise, blaming  persecution and witch-hunt for the controversy.

Not a few have tended to impugn political motives , particularly the bitter struggle for the control of the Enugu State seat of power as the driving force behind the certificate impasse.

Nnaji has been locked in a political feud since 2023  with the incumbent State Governor, Peter Mbah, both of whom are from the same Enugu East Senatorial District where the Governorship seat is presently zoned to according to the Enugu state informal power sharing formula since 1999.

Referencing the remarkable achievements of the   Government of Senator  Jim Nwobodo in the old Anambra State, the former Minister insisted that impactful governance does not necessarily need long period in office .

“Look at what Senator Jim Nwobodo achieved between 1979 and 1983. In just four years, he executed projects that many administrations could not accomplish in 20 years.

“That  clearly shows that transformational leadership is not about how long you stay in office but what you are able to do with the time you have..” Nnaji stated.

Nnaji explained that his decision to serve for only one term is borne out of his deep respect for the State’s power zoning arrangement.

“I want to state this clearly and without any ambiguity, I will serve only one term of four years if elected as the Governor in 2027.

“This decision is deliberate. It is based on my deep respect for the zoning structure in Enugu State which has helped to maintain political balance, fairness and unity among our people over the years.

” I am 100 % committed to this arrangement. By 2031, Enugu West Senatorial District should produce the Governor ,and I have no intention whatsoever to disrupt that process.

” Leadership should not be driven by personal ambition but by fairness, equity, and the long-term stability of our state ” he added.

Dwelling on his ability to deliver results, Nnaji expressed the optimism that his rich entrepreneurship and political trajectories are a huge assets to his quest to meaningfully transform  Enugu state within the short timeline available to him .

He emphasized that his extensive background in business, spanning a period of over three decades, stands him in good stead to deliver meaningful results within a short time.

“As an entrepreneur with over 30 years of experience, I do not need more than four years to reposition Enugu , economically.

“I have spent decades building businesses, creating jobs ,and developing industries. The experience has prepared me adequately to deliver transformative leadership within a short time frame .

 “Four years is enough to lay a solid foundation that will turn Enugu into an economic and industrial powerhouse capable of generating sustainable wealth for both indigenes and non-indigenes”,Nnaji assured.

A foundation member of the All Progressive Congress, APC, in Enugu State, the former Minister is expected to come face to face with Governor Mbah who was widely perceived to be, allegedly behind the travails of Nnaji in the Tinubu’s executive council.

Nnaji’s alleged unwillingness to allow Governor Mbah’s initial defection moves to the APC was said to have been the root cause of his problems with the system ,and eventual exit from the Government.