Geoffrey Nnaji Named PDP Candidate Amid Certificate Scandal

Geoffrey Nnaji, the former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, has been listed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the 2027 Enugu State governorship election. Nnaji's name appears at number 13 on the candidate list, which was released on October 10, 2026, and signed by INEC secretary Rose Oriaran-Anthony.

Instead of a university degree certificate, Nnaji submitted his West African Examination Council (WAEC) result, following a controversy over alleged forged academic and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificates that led to his resignation from the Federal Executive Council in October 2025. An investigation revealed that the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, disowned the degree certificate attributed to Nnaji, stating he did not complete his studies.

Nnaji, who previously contested the governorship election in 2023 under the All Progressives Congress (APC), later defected to the PDP. He was arrested by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission on July 1, 2026, and is facing charges related to certificate forgery, abuse of office, and money laundering.