Uche Nnaji's Plans for Enugu if He Becomes Governor

The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State, Uche Nnaji, has said he will set up three major industries in the state within two years if he wins the governorship in 2027.

Mr Nnaji, who used to be the minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, made this promise during a campaign tour to meet Enugu indigenes living in Aba, Abia. His spokesperson, Robert Ngwu, shared this information in a statement from Enugu.

The PDP candidate said the industries will focus on coal processing, iron ore use, and cement production. He believes these steps will help bring jobs and develop the state.

Mr Nnaji also expressed worry about what he called “worsening hunger, insecurity and declining economic activities” in rural areas of Enugu. He pointed out that many village markets have closed down. He alleged that traders are now working at night to avoid paying taxes.

“So many people do not know what is happening. Markets in the villages have closed, with traders now coming out only at night to avoid paying taxes,” he said.

He further claimed that armed robbery has returned to the state. He said criminals are now operating between midnight and 4 a.m., breaking into homes and stealing food and valuables.

He said this shows the level of hunger and economic hardship that people in the state are facing. The governorship candidate mentioned that his plan for industrialization will focus on using the state’s coal and iron ore deposits, especially in Awhum, Nachi, and the Nsukka area.

Mr Nnaji claimed that large amounts of coal are being taken from Awhum without any benefits for the local community. “Today, if you go to Awhum, more than 100 trailers of coal are evacuated from the community every night. What does that tell you?

“It means our people will suffer the consequences in the future because they are getting nothing in return,” he stated. “There is no social responsibility to the community.”

He said he would create an industry to process coal locally and another to make use of iron ore deposits from Nachi to the Nsukka area for making iron rods if he becomes governor. He added that cement production is also part of his industrialization plan.

“We will also look at cement production. We know where the raw materials are, but we cannot venture into that now because of the attitude of those in power,” he added.

During the event, the Chairman of the Enugu State Consultative Forum, Abia Chapter, Sunday Okonkwo, welcomed Mr Nnaji and other PDP candidates. He promised that the Enugu indigenes living in Abia would support the party’s candidates.

Mr Okonkwo said the forum consists of sons, daughters, and wives of Enugu indigenes living in Abia. He said they see themselves as important in the political and development matters of the state.

“As Enugu people living in Abia, we are happy that our brothers who seek to serve our state have remembered us. You have shown that Enugu is one, whether at home or in the diaspora.

“We in Abia may be living outside our state, but Enugu is our home. The pain of Enugu is our pain, and the progress of Enugu is our progress,” he said.

He described Mr Nnaji as a successful businessman and job creator. He also expressed hope in Mr Nnaji’s plans to reduce the tax burden on residents.

Mr Okonkwo stated that Enugu needs practical solutions to issues like unemployment, insecurity, bad roads, and high taxes. He assured that members of the forum would rally support among their relatives and other Enugu indigenes at home before the 2027 elections.

“We are not spectators. We are stakeholders. We will support, we will mobilize, and we will send our voices back home.

“We are not just supporters in Abia State; we are ambassadors and canvassers,” he added.

Mr Nnaji continues to campaign for the governorship despite facing a trial over certificate forgery. The former minister’s trial is taking place at the federal high court in Abuja after a two-year investigation by PREMIUM TIMES. The investigation, which came out in October last year, showed that he forged his degree and NYSC certificates submitted to President Bola Tinubu and the Nigerian Senate during his ministerial confirmation in 2023.

His trial began shortly after the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission arrested him in July. This was after he ignored several invitations from the commission to answer questions about the forgery case.

The ICPC is prosecuting Mr Nnaji for certificate forgery and arrested him after getting a court order. Mr Nnaji resigned from his ministerial position three days after this newspaper published the investigation.

In late May, he became the governorship candidate of the Nyesom Wike-backed PDP faction ahead of the 2027 elections. During this time, this newspaper reported that Mr Nnaji is eager to become governor to enjoy immunity from prosecution if he wins.