Uche Nnaji, the immediate past Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, has emerged as the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State for the 2027 general election.
He secured a landslide victory, polling 7,424 votes to defeat his closest rival, Samson Nnamani, who received 600 votes in a primary election conducted across all 17 local government areas of the state.
Nnaji’s political comeback follows his recent resignation from President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet, where he had served since his appointment in August 2023. His resignation was prompted by allegations that he forged the academic and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) credentials submitted during his ministerial screening and confirmation process.
Announcing the results on Saturday in Enugu, Austin Nwachukwu, the chairman of the seven-member primary election committee, officially declared Nnaji the winner. Nwachukwu praised the exercise as peaceful and compliant with both the Electoral Act and party guidelines.
He noted that despite encountering security blockades at the party secretariat upon arriving in Enugu, the committee successfully proceeded with the election alongside the state working committee, demonstrating that Enugu remains a strong PDP state.
In his acceptance speech, Nnaji expressed deep gratitude to party members and described the upcoming 2027 election as a vital battle for the future of Enugu State and its next generation. He also commended his opponent, Samson Nnamani, calling him a “respected son of Enugu State” and emphasizing that political differences should not breed enmity since they both share a love for the state.
Looking ahead, the former minister outlined an ambitious governance agenda focused on industrialization, job creation, and economic reforms to alleviate the burdens on struggling families and small businesses.
He criticized the current administration of Governor Peter Mbah, accusing it of building governance on “lies and deceit” and leaving citizens to suffer from mistakes made three years ago. Nnaji promised to correct these ills, improve the welfare and salaries of primary school teachers, and shift Enugu from a consumption and taxation-driven economy to one rooted in industrial production.
Drawing inspiration from the visionary leadership of the Michael Okpara era, Nnaji pledged to harness the state’s natural resources and human capital to rebuild Enugu into an economic powerhouse capable of employing thousands of young people. As a further commitment to the electorate, he promised to serve only a single four-year term if elected governor in 2027.
