The Senator representing Abia North, Orji Uzor Kalu, has said that the Senate was not mandated to verify the academic certificates of ministerial or any nominee, stressing that the legislative chamber’s role ‘is limited to screening and confirmation of persons nominated for appointment by the president.
Kalu stated this while reacting to the recent controversy and attendant resignation of the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Uche Nnaji, over allegations of certificate forgery.
Speaking on Channels Television’s current affairs programme, ‘Politics Today’, on Wednesday night, Kalu defended the Senate’s screening process, saying lawmakers performed their duties diligently.
“Well, we (the Senate) are not supposed to be looking at certificates. Our duty is to screen the candidate, not the certificate,” Kalu said. “And the Senate did a very good job by screening him.”
He commended Nnaji for his decision to resign, describing it as an honourable step.
“I congratulate him for resigning because if you have anything that is in conflict with what you do, you quietly resign, and it’s an honourable thing to do,” Kalu stated. “So I don’t even think it’s an issue.”
When asked if the forgery allegations had dented the image of the South-East in the APC, Kalu dismissed the suggestion, saying the president would soon find a replacement.
“President Tinubu will replace him. When one door closes, another window opens,” he said. “It’s just that I pity him, he is a very good friend of mine. Unfortunately, it happened.”
Kalu also defended Nnaji, saying that such controversies were not unique to Nigeria.
“He (Uche Nnaji) is not the first in the world,” Kalu said. “Even in the U.S. Congress, there are people whose university degrees are in dispute. I don’t want to discuss what any other person said (referring to Atiku).”
Kalu responded “No” when asked if his certificates were undisputed.
When asked if he was suggesting that certificate scandals were normal, Kalu clarified that while not excusable, they should not dominate national discourse.
“I’m not saying it is normal,” he explained. “But I’m just saying that it is not something that should be facing the country now. What should be facing the country is the economic problems we have.”
He further described Nnaji’s resignation as an honourable act and criticised the public’s tendency to vilify individuals under investigation.
“What the man has done (resigning) is honourable,” Kalu said. “It is not supposed to be up for discussion again. The man found out that whatever he has done is wrong. Why do we like to castigate people over the television instead of allowing those whose job is to handle it?”
