In a fiery rebuttal that has sent shockwaves through political circles, Professor Barth Nnaji, a towering figure in Nigeria’s power sector, has vehemently dismissed what he terms “baseless” and “misleading” reports linking him to political party registration and alleged coercion by the Federal Government.
The respected academia and former Minister, known for his no-nonsense approach, issued a strongly worded statement on Monday, tearing into claims that he had secretly joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and was being strong-armed into extending electricity projects to the South-East.
Sources close to Nnaji revealed that the professor has been inundated with inquiries from across the globe following a recent report that painted a picture of political maneuvering. The report, which surfaced in various online media, including a mention of Sahara Reporters and New Telegraph, suggested Nnaji’s supposed affiliation would be a boon for the ADC ahead of the crucial 2027 elections.
But Nnaji is having none of it. His media personnel, in a statement signed by His Senior Manager, Brand Media Communications, Edise Ekong, declared unequivocally: “He has no plans of registering with any political party having served Nigeria at the Federal level twice… under different administrations.”
This declaration comes as a direct challenge to those propagating the rumors, with Nnaji expressing profound surprise at allegations of federal government pressure.
The former Minister of Science and Technology (1993) and later Minister of Power under President Goodluck Jonathan, Nnaji, emphasized that his dedication to providing “constant, quality and affordable electricity” to the South-East and the entire nation is a long-standing, voluntary commitment, utterly devoid of political prompting. His team highlighted the independent successes of Geometric Power, through its Aba Power subsidiary, in delivering reliable electricity to nine local government areas in Abia State’s Aba Ring-Fenced Area, and its recent expansion into Etche Local Government Area in Rivers State – all achieved without any political strings attached.
Nnaji further underscored his non-partisan track record by recalling the 2013 formation of the Eastern Electric Company, a special purpose vehicle with South-East state governments and regional entrepreneurs. This initiative aimed to bid for the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company during the PHCN privatization. Despite that bid being scuttled, Nnaji has consistently partnered with investors to drive power projects across Nigeria, a testament to his unwavering focus on national development, not political gain.
In a scathing critique, Nnaji’s communications team lambasted media outlets for publishing such explosive claims without bothering to contact him or his associates. “It is inappropriate for any medium… to publish reports of so-called Prof Nnaji’s involvement in partisan politics without endeavoring to speak to him,” the statement asserted,
reaffirming his open-door policy for journalists seeking fair and accurate reporting. The professor remains steadfast, focusing solely on his mission to power Nigeria’s future, far removed from the murky waters of partisan politics.
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