PREMIUM TIMES has vowed to take legal action against Robert Ngwu, spokesperson for former Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Uche Nnaji, over what it calls a false and defamatory bribery allegation.

Ngwu, during an appearance on Channels Television on Tuesday, accused the newspaper of receiving a ₦100 million bribe from the Enugu State Government to run an investigative report exposing the former minister’s alleged certificate forgery.

However, Musikilu Mojeed, Editor-in-Chief and Chief Operating Officer of PREMIUM TIMES, has strongly denied the claim, describing it as a desperate attempt to discredit credible journalism.

“We are not a newspaper that anyone can malign. We have built our integrity for close to 15 years,” Mojeed said on Channels TV’s Politics Today.

“Our work is grounded in truth and accountability. Neither Robert Ngwu nor Uche Nnaji can destroy that.”

Mojeed said the newspaper’s legal team had begun reviewing Ngwu’s comments and would demand he prove the allegation in court.

“He will have to present evidence of how the money was given, who received it, and when. We won’t let this slide,” he said.

During the Channels TV segment, Ngwu admitted he had no concrete evidence to support his claim.

When pressed repeatedly by anchors Kayode Okikiolu and Bukola Coker, Ngwu resorted to vague claims and phrases like “allegedly paid” and “we have our sources.”

Asked directly who paid the alleged bribe, Ngwu named the Enugu State Government but failed to provide documentation, saying only that he received verbal confirmation.

The Enugu State Government has since denied any involvement in PREMIUM TIMES’ investigation.

The bribery allegation surfaced just days after PREMIUM TIMES published a two-year investigation revealing that Mr. Nnaji forged both his university degree and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate, credentials he used to gain ministerial appointment in 2023.

The report showed that, at the time Nnaji claimed to have graduated from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), he was still corresponding with the school about a failed terminal course.

This investigative work ultimately led to Nnaji’s resignation from office on Tuesday evening.

“We were tipped off by a whistleblower in 2023,” Mojeed said.

“Our team in Enugu and Abuja followed up, filing FOI requests and digging through records. It was slow, and at one point, UNN ignored our FOI request. But we persisted.”

A breakthrough came when UNN’s new leadership in August 2025 officially confirmed the institution had never issued Nnaji a degree.

“Just today, the university registrar affirmed it again,” Mojeed said during the TV interview.

Following the report, PREMIUM TIMES published further evidence, including letters from Nnaji himself contradicting his graduation claims.

The scandal has sparked national outrage, with many Nigerians demanding tighter scrutiny of public office appointments.

Nnaji’s camp, however, chose to deflect with unsubstantiated counterclaims.

At a press conference called by the ministry (which the ex-minister did not attend), aides, including Ngwu, repeated the bribery allegation without proof.

PREMIUM TIMES says it will not only pursue legal redress against Ngwu, but will also continue to report on matters of public interest without fear or favour.

“This kind of attack is designed to silence watchdog journalism,” Mojeed said.

“But it won’t work. We will continue to hold the powerful accountable.”

During Wednesday’s plenary session, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu formally requested Senate approval for a new $2.3 billion external loan to support key fiscal and debt management initiatives.

The request was conveyed in a letter read aloud by Senate President Godswill Akpabio on the Senate floor.

According to the president’s letter, the loan is intended to fund part of the 2025 Appropriation Act, refinance maturing Eurobonds, and diversify Nigeria’s borrowing options by including Islamic finance products among others.

He stated that the approved 2025 fiscal strategy anticipates $9.27 billion in total new borrowings to bridge the budget deficit, with $1.84 billion to be sourced externally.

The assumptions include an exchange rate of ₦1,500 to the US dollar.

“The external borrowing will be raised through Eurobonds, syndicated loans, bridge financing, or direct funding from multilateral institutions,” Tinubu explained, emphasizing that the approach is aimed at cost optimization and risk management.

A major component of the loan plan is the refinancing of a $1.118 billion Eurobond, originally issued in 2018 at an interest rate of 7.625%, which matures in November 2025.

The president noted that refinancing maturing debts through capital markets or loan syndicates is a standard international practice.

“This ensures continued access to capital, enhances investor confidence, and supports sustainable debt management,” he wrote.

Tinubu stressed that managing upcoming obligations efficiently is crucial to maintaining Nigeria’s fiscal reputation and creditworthiness.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has strengthened its grip on the Nigerian Senate after Senator Kelvin Chukwu of Enugu East officially left the Labour Party (LP) to join the ruling party.

The defection, announced by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during Wednesday’s plenary session, brings the APC’s total number of senators to 73, giving it a solid two-thirds majority in the upper chamber.

Senator Chukwu, who succeeded his late brother Oyibo Chukwu following the 2023 general election, cited deepening internal divisions within the Labour Party as his reason for switching allegiance.

“There’s an ongoing crisis within the LP that has fractured the party. It’s becoming unbearable for members,” he said.

With his exit, the Labour Party is now left with just four senators nationwide. Senator Okey Ezea (Enugu North) remains LP’s only senator from Enugu State.

Breakdown:

• APC: 73 senators
• PDP: 28 senators
• APGA: 2 senators
• SDP & NNPP: 1 senator each

Chukwu’s move adds to a growing trend of opposition lawmakers defecting to the APC in recent months.

Four senators from the Peoples Democratic Party, Francis Fadahunsi (Osun East), Oluwole Olubiyi (Osun Central), Aniekan Bassey (Akwa Ibom North-East) and Samson Ekong (Akwa Ibom South) have also switched sides, mostly citing party conflicts.

Senator Bassey invoked constitutional provisions (Sections 40 and 68(1)(g)) to legitimize his defection.

Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah is set to formally join the All Progressives Congress (APC), marking a major political realignment in the South-East and potentially ending his affiliation with the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Mbah, currently the only PDP governor in the South-East, is expected to be received into the APC in the coming days, as the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) finalises plans to dissolve the existing Enugu APC executive led by Ugochukwu Agballah.

Sources told DAILY GAZETTE that names for a new caretaker committee are already with the Presidency for approval.

Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, also Chair of the Progressives Governors’ Forum, is reportedly coordinating the harmonisation of the party’s leadership structure in the state, amid tensions with existing stakeholders, including Minister Uche Nnaji, a political rival of Mbah’s from the Enugu East Senatorial District.

Their rivalry, which began during the 2023 governorship election, has continued with mutual allegations, including over certificate controversies.

Mbah’s entry into the APC could put an end to speculations of a 2027 rematch, unless Nnaji himself returns to the PDP.

Amid the political shifts, the Enugu government is pushing forward on economic reforms, announcing a landmark agricultural insurance programme that covers over 9,000 farmers against production risks.

This move is part of a collaboration with the Presidential Food Systems Coordinating Unit (PFSCU) under the Vice President’s office, through the Harvesting Hope Caravan (HHC) initiative, alongside Pula Advisors and Leadway Insurance.

Speaking at the launch, HHC Coordinator Safiya Umar said the programme aims to connect government policy with farmers and local communities, ensuring inclusivity, especially for women and youth.

It also aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, promoting grassroots involvement in food system reform.

Ugwu Ndubuisi, Pula Advisors’ state head, praised Enugu for embracing data-driven agricultural policies through its participation in the National Agribusiness Policy Mechanism (NAPM).

He applauded Governor Mbah’s leadership in expanding access to agri-insurance.

Representing the governor, Deputy Governor Ifeanyi Ossai reaffirmed Enugu’s commitment to transforming agriculture, citing the establishment of the Enugu Agricultural Farmland Bank, which has over 130,000 hectares earmarked for commercial farming and investment.

“Food security is the cornerstone of economic stability,” said Ossai.

“Our reforms are focused on creating wealth, jobs, and sustainable livelihoods.”

Former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, says his resignation from President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet should not be mistaken as an admission of guilt amid certificate forgery allegations.

Nnaji stepped down following a report by Premium Times, which alleged he never completed his university education and submitted forged academic and NYSC certificates to secure his ministerial appointment.

In a statement, the Enugu-born politician said his decision followed “deep reflection” and conversations with family and close associates.

He described the allegations as false and malicious, asserting that they were causing undue distraction to his ministry’s work and the Renewed Hope Agenda.

“These unfounded accusations and media distortions have caused me personal pain and have begun to distract from the vital responsibilities of my office,” Nnaji stated.

He insisted his resignation was a principled step to allow for due process and to protect the integrity of ongoing court proceedings, not a concession to the charges against him.

“This is not an admission of wrongdoing. It is a deliberate choice to uphold due process and let the legal system run its course. I am confident that justice will prevail,” he added.

Appointed in August 2023, Nnaji noted that he has spent over 50 years building a reputation grounded in honour, hard work, and public service.

He thanked President Tinubu for the opportunity to serve, saying he remained proud of his contributions while in office.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has unveiled the standards it will demand from presidential hopefuls aiming to run on its ticket in 2027.

At a recent meeting of its National Working Committee in Abuja, ADC National Chairman Senator David Mark announced that candidates must satisfy the party’s “four‑pillar benchmark”: Character, Competence, Courage, and Discipline.

Atiku and Jonathan in the Mix?
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, long an advocate of opposition unity since his 2023 defeat under the PDP, is widely seen as positioning himself for yet another presidential run, this time via the ADC.

His push for a broader coalition is viewed as an effort to lead a united front against the ruling APC.

Meanwhile, speculation continues to swirl around Goodluck Jonathan.

Though he hasn’t made any public commitments, insiders suggest the ADC is quietly assessing Jonathan’s acceptability as a consensus candidate, especially given his strong influence among certain southern and northern blocs.

Just last week, Jonathan visited Mark at his Abuja residence. While the party insists the meeting was private, observers believe it may relate to ongoing 2027 strategy talks.

ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, described the visit as informal, but the speculation persists.

Other Aspirants in the Frame
Former Labour Party candidate Peter Obi and ex-Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi have publicly declared intentions to vie for the presidency.

They’ve both pledged to serve only a single term and supported a North, South zoning formula, moves that could shape internal negotiations within the ADC coalition.

Speaking at the NWC meeting, Mark emphasized that ADC’s goals go beyond electoral victory:

“We will field only credible and viable candidates who meet our four‑pillar standard. Nigerians will accept nothing less.”

“Our mission is not just to gain power in 2027; it is to leave a legacy future generations will be proud of.”

He urged the party to build structures that outlast individuals, governed by rules, policies, and institutional integrity, not personalities or excitement.

To prepare for the 2027 contest, ADC has initiated key reforms to include: constitution review, code of ethics, membership registration, and structural strengthening at ward, local and state levels.

Committees have been established to oversee these tasks.

Although leaders such as Atiku, Obi, El-Rufai, and Tambuwal have shown alignment with the ADC-led coalition, none have formally defected.

The party earlier granted them temporary waivers to remain in their original parties during the August bye-elections.

However, sources say that waiver period is ending and formal registration is expected soon.

According to Abdullahi, the registration exercise marks “the transformation of a coalition into a functioning political movement”, a move many believe is crucial to ADC’s electoral strategy and internal cohesion heading into 2027.