Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration of institutionalizing forgery and document falsification as state policy following the resignation of Uche Nnaji, Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology.
In a statement on Wednesday, Atiku described Nnaji’s resignation as “a cover-up for criminal behavior” rather than an act of accountability.
Nnaji resigned on Tuesday after reports emerged that he allegedly submitted falsified documents to secure his ministerial position.
“After deep reflection and consultations with family, associates, and well-meaning Nigerians, I have today tendered my resignation as the Honourable Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Nnaji wrote.
He described the allegations as “politically motivated” and “malicious,” saying they had caused personal distress and distraction from the ministry’s work.
Reacting, Atiku insisted Nnaji should not have been allowed to resign quietly but “summarily dismissed and prosecuted for deceit and falsification.”
“The resignation of Uche Nnaji has once again brought to light the deep moral crisis at the heart of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration,” Atiku stated.
“What should ordinarily be a matter of national shame is now being disguised as a voluntary resignation—an attempt to whitewash yet another scandal that typifies the forgery-ridden character of this government.”
He added, “By permitting him to quietly exit through the backdoor, the Tinubu administration has once again demonstrated that it is an assembly of forgers, impostors, and morally bankrupt individuals masquerading as public servants.”
The former presidential candidate also questioned the role of the Department of State Services (DSS), which vetted Nnaji’s nomination, saying its failure to uncover the alleged discrepancies was a “national disgrace.”
“The DSS truly deserves our flowers for this national embarrassment. Their failure of due diligence has made Nigeria an object of ridicule before the world. How many more of such individuals are occupying sensitive positions in this government?” he queried.
Atiku further alleged that the scandal was not isolated but symptomatic of a deeper governance crisis that “starts from the very top.”
“This episode reflects a pattern—a rot that begins with the man who occupies the office of President. Bola Ahmed Tinubu has for decades been enmeshed in controversies surrounding his identity, age, and academic records,” he said.
Citing the Chicago State University controversy, Atiku maintained that Tinubu’s “personal history of forgery and perjury” had set a negative precedent that now defines the administration.
“When a man of questionable identity leads a country, deception becomes the standard of governance,” Atiku said. “It is, therefore, unsurprising that his ministers and aides have taken after his example by falsifying documents, inflating records, and desecrating the moral foundation of our nation.”
He called for an independent and transparent investigation into the academic and professional credentials of all members of the Federal Executive Council, starting with President Tinubu.
“Nigerians deserve to know the truth about those who preside over their lives and resources,” Atiku declared.
“Until this cleansing is done, Nigeria will continue to sink deeper into moral decay, economic ruin, and global embarrassment. The time has come to rescue our country from deceit and restore integrity to public life.”
