Onoh Slams Atiku Over Comments on Ex-Minister Nnaji’s Resignation

Former Southeast spokesperson for President Bola Tinubu, Dr. Josef Onoh, has faulted former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over his comments regarding the resignation of former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji.

Atiku had accused the Federal Government of attempting to conceal what he described as a “national embarrassment” by accepting Nnaji’s resignation instead of dismissing him over alleged certificate forgery. Nnaji resigned after media reports surfaced alleging inconsistencies in his academic and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) credentials.

In a statement released in Abuja, Onoh described Atiku’s remarks as “hypocritical and lacking moral standing.” He accused the former Vice President of exploiting the controversy to attack President Tinubu, calling it “a desperate political tactic.”

Onoh defended Tinubu’s decision to accept Nnaji’s resignation, noting that it was in line with constitutional and ethical standards.

> “The President acted within the provisions of Section 147(1) of the 1999 Constitution. Resignation remains a legitimate and dignified option, consistent with the ethical imperatives of public service,” Onoh stated.


He explained that Nnaji’s resignation followed due process, especially after both the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and the NYSC denied issuing the certificates attributed to him. Onoh added that any further action would depend on due legal process, as forgery is punishable under Sections 465 to 467 of the Criminal Code.

Onoh also accused Atiku of double standards, recalling that the former Vice President faced multiple corruption allegations during and after his time in office.

> “Atiku’s record disqualifies him from making moral judgments. From the PTDF scandal to money laundering allegations in the U.S., his history reflects the very contradictions he now projects onto others,” he said.


He further dismissed Atiku’s repeated references to the Chicago State University (CSU) controversy surrounding President Tinubu’s academic credentials, stressing that the matter had been resolved through official verification and upheld by Nigeria’s Supreme Court in 2023.

Onoh urged Atiku to “subject himself to scrutiny over his past dealings” before criticising others, adding that Nigerians “deserve accountability, not hypocrisy, from those who once held public office.”