The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has blasted the presidency, accusing it of treating a matter of public trust as a private affair.
This accusation is coming in the wake of the resignation of former Minister Uche Nnaji following controversy surrounding his academic credentials.
While faulting President Bola Tinubu’s handling of the matter, the ADC said the response of the president undermines public confidence in the government’s commitment to integrity and accountability.
In a statement signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party criticised the Presidency’s decision to accept Nnaji’s resignation without further investigation.
It expressed worry that Nnaji was allowed to leave office quietly despite widespread questions over the authenticity of the academic and NYSC certificates he presented during his ministerial screening.
The opposition, however, warned that such a response could send the wrong message to young Nigerians about the value of honesty in public life.
“The decision of President Tinubu to merely accept the former minister’s resignation instead of taking a firmer stance gives the unfortunate impression that the Presidency is not setting the right example on integrity.
“We are concerned that the minister was allowed to resign quietly after questions were raised about his credentials. This sends the wrong message to Nigerians, especially the youth, that issues of integrity are not treated seriously in government,” the statement said.