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By Sunday Ani
The Concerned Enugu Patriots (CEP) has described media reports about the educational qualification of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Geoffery Nnaji, as bad politics.
A statement by its Convener, Eze Chukwudi Anselem, said the reports are linked to 2027 politics in Enugu State, adding that they are intended to distract the minister from delivering on his assignment.
The statement read: “This is clearly bad politics. It is obvious that this is intended to distract this silent performing minister from the transformation he is currently undertaking towards meeting Mr. President’s agenda of making Nigeria a leading science and technology destination. The 2027 elections are around the corner. While his political opponents are free to campaign, they should not cross the lines by launching a campaign of calumny against Chief Nnaji.
“There are fears among certain elements in the state that Chief Nnaji has been fortified to easily defeat the incumbent governor whose posturing, in any case, is to join APC anytime soon. Due to this, all kinds of schemes are underway to remove Chief Nnaji from the way.
“Sadly, they have found the 16th Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, a tool in their hands to carry out their dastardly act.”
The group described the vice chancellor as a partisan politician in academic attire.
“He is the immediate past Secretary of the Enugu State Government. Through political manoeuvring, he was, two months ago appointed the 16th Vice Chancellor of UNN.
“He is clearly the Enugu State Governor’s ‘Man Friday to carry out his plan of discrediting his perceived political enemies. How do you explain this? The VC is merely two months into his job and his first assignment is to pull down Chief Nnaji. Can’t Nigerians see the voice of Jacob and the hand of Esau?” the statement added. The group urged the media to be guided by their professional ethics, and not to be hasty to pass judgment.
“They should remember that facts, truth, accuracy and objectivity are the cornerstones of this noble profession. The little we know of journalism and journalists is that they maintain a degree of detachment from politics, in order to minimise potential biases in their reporting. What has happened is clearly a media trial, the media acting as prosecutor and judge, in a matter that is prejudicial as it is still in court,” it added.
