A civil society organisation, Defence for Democracy (DFD), has intensified pressure on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to drop former Minister of Science and Technology, Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, as its prospective governorship candidate in Enugu State, warning that his ongoing forgery trial could undermine the party’s chances in the 2027 election.
The group urged the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) and influential party stakeholders, including the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to rally behind Chief Samson Chukwu Nnamani, whom it described as a credible alternative capable of retaining Enugu for the party.
DFD’s renewed appeal follows the commencement of criminal proceedings against Nnaji by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over allegations that he forged academic credentials. The matter is currently before a court in Abuja and remains unresolved.
In a statement issued by its National President, Dr. Emeka Nwachukwu, the organisation said the PDP risks entering the governorship race at a disadvantage if it fields a candidate facing criminal prosecution.
According to the group, while the law presumes Nnaji innocent until proven guilty, the political consequences of the case could prove damaging throughout the campaign season.
It argued that the PDP still has the opportunity to strengthen its electoral prospects through the nomination and substitution windows by presenting a candidate whose public image is free of legal controversy.
“The people of Enugu deserve a candidate whose integrity cannot become an issue during the campaign,” the statement said.
The organisation warned that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) could capitalise on the pending court case to mount legal and political challenges if Nnaji eventually emerges as the PDP flag bearer.
It maintained that Enugu has remained one of the PDP’s traditional strongholds but cautioned that internal decisions capable of eroding public confidence could hand the opposition an advantage.
DFD said credibility, public trust and moral authority remain critical assets in any governorship contest, insisting that prolonged litigation would distract both the candidate and the party.
The group described Chief Samson Chukwu Nnamani as a more viable option, saying he possesses a clean public record and has participated in all the processes prescribed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Electoral Act.
“We warned the PDP long before now because we want to see a genuinely competitive democratic process, not one that places the party in a weakened position before the election,” the statement read.
“The commencement of the criminal trial has only heightened our concerns. Why should the party take such a political risk when there are credible aspirants without legal encumbrances?
“We therefore call on the PDP National Working Committee and major stakeholders, including the FCT Minister, to act in the party’s best interest by supporting Chief Samson Chukwu Nnamani.”
The allegations against Uche Geoffrey Nnaji remain before the court. No verdict has been delivered, and he continues to enjoy the constitutional presumption of innocence unless and until a competent court rules otherwise.