By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
A civil society advocate, Ukwunetu Samuel Ali, has condemned what he described as unverified Interior Minister certificate allegations, calling for an immediate retraction and public apology from the Centre for Leadership Legacy International (Centre LL). Ali made the demand in a statement issued on Wednesday in Lokoja, reacting to a publication alleging a certificate discrepancy involving Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo. He described the claims as baseless, reckless, and damaging to public trust.According to Ali, the report, which was circulated by an online platform, lacks credible evidence and fails to follow due process. He said the allegations not only harm the minister’s reputation but also cast doubt on the integrity of state institutions responsible for vetting public officials.
Ali stressed that the Interior Minister underwent constitutionally mandated screening before assuming office. He noted that the process involved security checks by the Department of State Services (DSS) and confirmation hearings conducted by the National Assembly. “It must be clearly stated that the Honourable Minister of Interior was subjected to rigorous screening and vetting processes before assumption of office,” Ali said. “These included exhaustive background checks, credential verification, and confirmation by the National Assembly before he was sworn in by the President.”
He argued that raising unverified Interior Minister certificate allegations undermines confidence in Nigeria’s democratic institutions, particularly the DSS and the legislature, whose statutory responsibility includes screening and confirmation of ministerial nominees.Ali called on Centre LL to immediately retract the publication and issue a public apology to the minister and the institutions affected. He also urged Nigerians to disregard the report, describing it as misleading and unprofessional.“We strongly condemn, in the clearest terms, the publication credited to the Centre for Leadership Legacy International alleging a purported certificate discrepancy against the Honourable Minister of Interior,” he said. “It is unacceptable for any organisation to make such grave claims without lawful verification or engagement with constitutionally empowered authorities.”
He further appealed to the DSS to take note of the development, warning that the spread of unfounded allegations could erode public confidence in national security institutions if left unchecked.According to Ali, allowing such narratives to gain traction risks damaging the reputation of other cabinet members who have passed through similar screening and confirmation processes.He also suggested that the allegations may be politically motivated and intended to distract the minister from ongoing reforms in internal security, correctional services, border management, and public safety.“
Nigeria’s democracy requires responsible journalism and ethical advocacy, not sensational narratives that weaken governance and national cohesion,” Ali stated.He emphasized that fairness, due process, and institutional respect must guide public discourse, especially when addressing issues involving senior public officials.“The Honourable Minister of Interior deserves fairness and respect, just as Nigeria’s democratic institutions deserve protection from irresponsible and damaging allegations,” he added.The statement concludes with a renewed call for professionalism in public commentary and adherence to verified facts in reporting matters of national importance.
