-Accuses Governor Peter Mbah of political Witch-hunt, Warns ICPC Chairman to Remain Neutral Amid Enugu 2027 political tensions
By Princely Onyenwe | 9News Nigeria
The Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC), the apex sociocultural youth organization representing Igbo youths worldwide, has alleged that the arrest of former Minister of Science and Technology and a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant for the 2027 Enugu State election, Hon. Uche Nnaji, by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) is politically motivated.
In a press statement issued in Enugu on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, the National President of OYC, Comrade Igboayaka O. Igboayaka, alleged that the ICPC’s action over the certificate-related controversy involving Nnaji amounted to a political witch-hunt allegedly orchestrated by the Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, to weaken a perceived political opponent ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
The group called on the Chairman of the ICPC, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu (SAN), to uphold the Commission’s independence, professionalism and ethical standards, warning that any perceived political bias could undermine public confidence in the anti-corruption agency.
According to the Council, the dispute surrounding Hon. Uche Nnaji’s academic credentials is already before a court of competent jurisdiction. It further claimed that the matter involving the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), and the former minister is being addressed through legal processes, including efforts toward an out-of-court resolution following what it described as the emergence of fresh information.
OYC further alleged that the ICPC’s decision to obtain a court order for the detention of the former minister while the matter remains before the court raises questions about due process. The organization maintained that the development is connected to the political contest for the Enugu State Government House in 2027 and described the certificate forgery allegations against Nnaji as a political distraction and blackmail.
The youth body urged the ICPC leadership to remain neutral and ensure that its operations are guided strictly by the rule of law, insisting that anti-corruption institutions must not be drawn into partisan political contests.
The Council also urged Governor Peter Mbah to focus on fulfilling his administration’s campaign promises to the people of Enugu State rather than pursuing what it described as political rivalry with Hon. Uche Nnaji.
9News Nigeria could not independently verify the allegations contained in the OYC statement at the time of publication. Efforts to obtain official responses from the Enugu State Government and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) were unsuccessful as of press time. This report will be updated should responses be received from the parties concerned.
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