The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has listed former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Geoffrey Nnaji, as a candidate for the 2027 Enugu State governorship election, despite the certificate forgery allegations that led to his resignation from the Federal Executive Council.
Nnaji, who is contesting on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, appeared as number 13 on the list of governorship candidates released by INEC on Saturday night.
The list, signed by the commission’s Secretary, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, showed that Nnaji submitted his West African Examinations Council results without the controversial degree certificate linked to the allegations against him.
His inclusion on the list comes as he faces criminal charges bordering on alleged certificate forgery, abuse of office and money laundering.
Nnaji resigned as minister following an investigative report by Premium Times alleging that he submitted forged academic and National Youth Service Corps certificates to President Bola Tinubu and the Senate during his ministerial nomination process in 2023.
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The former minister was subsequently arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, upon his arrival in Nigeria.
He was reportedly apprehended by operatives of the Department of State Services before being handed over to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission for further investigation.
Nnaji was later arraigned before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja on charges relating to certificate forgery, abuse of office and money laundering.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges and was granted bail in the sum of N20m, with one surety.
His appearance on INEC’s candidate list places him in the race for the Enugu governorship election while the allegations against him remain subject to judicial proceedings.