Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South, clarified on Channels TV’s Politics Today that the Senate’s role is confirmation, not screening, in the wake of the Uche Nnaji certificate forgery scandal.
The uproar erupted after Uche Nnaji, former Minister of Innovation, resigned following serious doubts about his academic credentials.
A Premium Times investigation revealed that UNN disowned his bachelor’s degree after uncovering he never completed his studies.
In his defence, Senator Ndume insisted that security agencies, particularly the DSS/SSS, are responsible for background checks before nominees reach the Senate.
“We are not screening, get this clear. Screening and confirmation are two different things,” he stated.
“The DSS must clear a candidate first; we rely on their reports.”
Ndume also noted that the Senate has previously rejected nominees flagged by security agencies, emphasizing that senators do act when valid red flags are raised.
He lamented that certificate forgery is a systemic issue afflicting more than just political figures, warning of a broader national integrity crisis.
