My resignation not admission of guilt –Nnaji

From Charity Nwakaudu, Abuja

Former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, has announced his resignation from office, asserting that the decision is not an admission of guilt but a move to uphold integrity and due process.

His resignation has been linked to allegations of forgery and deceit, which some argued are symptomatic of a larger issue within the government.

But in a statement in Abuja yesterday, Nnaji said his resignation followed “deep reflection and consultations with family, associates, and well-meaning Nigerians.”

He emphasised that the decision was made to shield the ministry and the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu from distractions caused by what he described as “a sustained, politically motivated campaign of falsehood and malicious attacks.

He was optimistic that he would be vindicated by judicial process, which he had already instituted against the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).

He expressed hope that in the end, justice would prevail and history would vindicate the just.

Part of the statement read: “After deep reflection and consultations with family, associates and well-meaning Nigerians, I have today tendered my resignation as the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“This decision did not come lightly. 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.

“These unfounded allegations and media distortions have not only caused personal distress but have also begun to distract from the vital work of the Ministry and the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President.

“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.

“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. In the end, justice will prevail, and history will vindicate the just.

“I remain deeply grateful to His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu, for the confidence he reposed in me and for the privilege to serve in his cabinet. His vision for a renewed, innovative and technologically driven Nigeria is one I continue to hold dear, and I pledge my unflinching support to his administration and its transformative goals,” Chief Nnaji said.

Chief Nnaji had earlier addressed the media on Monday through his spokesman, Dr. Robert Ngwu, insisting that he actually graduated from the UNN and blamed Enugu State Governor for spearheading the campaign to remove him from office so as to enhance his second term chances.