The Defence for Democracy, has reiterated earlier call on the leadership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) including the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesome Wike against fielding former minister of Science and Technology, Uche Geoffrey Nnaji as candidate for the 2027 Enugu Governorship polls , allaying fears that his protracted alleged forgery prosecution will have negative effect on the party .
The civil society organisation emphasized that there are two windows available for the PDP which includes uploading and substitution to field a formidable candidate that will win the election for the PDP stressing that Enugu state is the traditional home of the PDP but only if a candidate without alleged criminal charges flies it’s flag.
The Independent Corrupt Practice Commission(ICPC) has arraigned the former minister Nnaji before an Abuja High Court over allegations of forged credentials .
Nnaji resigned from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s cabinet over similar allegations of forgery and was arrested by anti corruption agencies at the Abuja airport and charged to court .
In a statement issued by the National President of the organisation Dr. Emeka Nwachukwu, and made available to journalists, the organisation expressed concerns that the leadership of the PDP has not yet taken a firm decision to protect the integrity of the party of despite its earlier warnings that the PDP will be working for the victory of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state should the party fails to take decisive measures .
The organisation had warned that the APC will have sufficient grounds to fast-track accelerated hearing of the forgery case and eventually upturn any victory if the former minister wins .
Reiterating it’s position following the commencement of the criminal trials against the former minister, the group maintained that trust building,integrity and credibility as qualities that attract fellowship are conspicuously absent giving the wealth of allegations against the former minister .
The organisation emphasized that the people of Enugu State deserve leaders whose records can withstand public scrutiny without fear or controversy.
Acknowledged that the allegations are not yet proven in court, the distractions and moral burden has negative impact of the party and the candidate heading into the most critical part of the electioneering process ahead of the 2027 Governorship elections in Enugu state.
It maintained that the PDP has a moral responsibility to raise the red flag on the former minister, adding that winning the election with him on the ballot will be nearly impossible .
The organisation argued that credible candidates such as Chief Samson Nnamani stands a brighter chance of winning the elections having participated in all the processes in outlined by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the amemded electoral Act.
“We have said everything that is playing out today and we cautioned the PDP because we want to see a competitive Democratic process and not a process that already places a popular political party in a disadvantaged position .
“We are confident that the moral burden against the former minister is huge and with the commencement of the criminal charges against him makes his case worse even before a court judgement .
“So why take an unnecessary gamble in a game you can win if you fix your house in order .
“We are calling on the NWC and major stake holders of the party including the FCT minister to come to the rescue of the PDP in Enugu and do the needful and for the first time we are saying why can’t you go with Chief Sampson Chukwu Nnamani who has clean and Excellency records instead of sticking with somebody with such baggages especially as an opposition party “.
