Uche Nnaji: Governor Mba’s Defection to APC unravels the truth after all
By Anosike Nwankwo
With the tornado-like speed that the political development in Enugu state is unfolding, it has become increasingly clear that the former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Geoffrey Uche Nnaji is a victim of high-wired political “gymnastics”.
First, the state exco of APC, which is loyal to him has been dissolved. Then, the Governor of Enugu state who has been accused of being behind the Minister’s ordeal is set to dump PDP, the party platform he used to become the governor. Any moment from now, he will officially defect to APC, the ruling party.
Unknown to many, the drama and circus that Nigerians have witnessed in the last couple of days climaxes a two-year battle for dominance of Enugu politics ahead of 2027.
So, has Geoffrey Uche Nnaji been trapped in the web of political gimmicks? It has become obvious that this may have been the real reason. The certificate matter is purely a smokescreen and cheap blackmail to ease him out, knowing that he is the kind of man who will readily sacrifice the lure of power to protect his name.
From day one that he was nominated for this ministerial appointment, Chief Nnaji had faced unrelenting attacks from his Governor kinsman. Somehow, he has put up with all the pressures that they have been mounting on him. It’s to his credit that despite the barrage of attacks on him, he’s refused to be distracted in meeting his mandate in line with the Renewed Hope agenda of Mr. President.
So, when the dramatic saga of alleged certificate forgery resurfaced in the last few days, political pundits who understand how the Nigerian political climate and the “dog-chop-dog” of how it works, they warned of the impending outcome.
So beyond the facade of Premium Times seeming expose, lies real truth of larger interests of unmasking a big masquerade for a lesser one to assume his role. Let’s see how well this new masquerade will dance. The public is watching his dance steps.
The sentiments expressed by social media users are not completely new, neither are they unexpected in a public case of this nature, an incident that has shaken the foundations of politics in Enugu state, the former minister’s home state; the seismic effects spreading through the country’s political landscape.
Many people like Iyke Orji, a Facebook user, is of the view that the former minister was a pawn in a larger and far more complex game than he had imagined was possible in the complex politics of Enugu state and the country by extension. He framed the former minister as “The Sacrificial lamb minister.” According to him, “the minister has resigned. He was sacrificed for personal gain.”
Ultimately, the truth will prevail as Uche Nnaji has also said in his statement: “In the end, justice will prevail, and history will vindicate the just,” the former minister said.
As usual, the former minister has taken everything so far with grace because he believes that God that brought him this far will certainly see him through. He will bounce back stronger and more ebullient.
