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Nnaji
President Bola Tinubu on Monday evening accepted the resignation of the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Geoffrey Nnaji, following some allegations of certificate forgery levied against him.
“He resigned today in a letter thanking the President for allowing him to serve Nigeria,” Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, revealed in a statement Tuesday.
President Tinubu appointed Nnaji in August 2023.
“Nnaji said he has been a target of blackmail by political opponents. President Tinubu thanked him for his service and wished him well in future endeavours,” the statement read.
Highly-placed sources in the Presidency told our correspondent that Tinubu had asked Nnaji to honourably resign, rather than firing him publicly.
The decision was finalised on Tuesday evening at the State House, Abuja, after a brief meeting between the President and key advisers.
Nnaji was not at the meeting, our correspondent observed.
“The embattled minister, the one for science and technology, he is going to resign.
“Instead of the President firing him, he has asked him to just resign honourably,” one source told The PUNCH in confidence.
Another source, who asked to remain anonymous due to the sensitivity of the matter, confirmed the development.
“Before the end of today (Tuesday), he will send his letter to the Office of the SGF (Secretary to the Government of the Federation) informing them that he is resigning.
“You know, it is the SGF who handles all matters pertaining to the Federal Executive Council.”
The development comes just days after a Premium Times investigative report published on Saturday, which alleged that Nnaji submitted forged academic and NYSC certificates to President Bola Tinubu and the Senate during his ministerial nomination process in 2023.
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