A member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Philip Agbese, has rubbished the allegation that the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, forged his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate.
Speaking with journalists on Wednesday in Abuja, the lawmaker described the report as “a hoax sponsored by desperate politicians threatened by competence and results.”
Agbese said the story was nothing more than “baseless political blackmail” targeted at damaging the reputation of one of President Bola Tinubu’s best-performing ministers. He accused those behind the claim of trying to distract the administration from its “Renewed Hope Agenda.”
“These allegations are nothing but political noise from enemies of progress who cannot stand the pace of reform and innovation that Dr. Tunji-Ojo has brought to governance,” he said. “Whenever a young and effective leader begins to change the old order, the usual tactic is to dig up fake scandals. But Nigerians are wiser now.”
Moreover, the Deputy Spokesman commended the minister’s record since assuming office, describing him as a “reform-minded public servant” with visible results across key sectors.
He highlighted some of the minister’s early achievements: including the clearing of more than 200,000 passport backlogs within three weeks, the launch of digital systems that eliminated touting, and the opening of new passport centres abroad to serve Nigerians in the diaspora.
“In less than a year, Dr. Tunji-Ojo cleared over 200,000 passport backlogs in three weeks, introduced digital systems that eliminated touting and racketeering, and opened new passport offices in several countries to serve Nigerians in the diaspora. Citizens now get their passports within days, not months — that is the kind of leadership Nigeria needs,” Agbese stated.
The lawmaker added that the minister’s reforms had also touched the correctional and paramilitary sectors. He noted that Tunji-Ojo had restored discipline in prisons, freed thousands of inmates, introduced biometric tracking to prevent jailbreaks, and improved welfare across paramilitary agencies.
Agbese said the Ministry of Interior had generated more than ₦6 billion this year, proof that “performance is the best proof of integrity.”
“Those peddling falsehoods should focus on delivering results rather than cooking up lies,” he added.
He also cautioned against “the weaponisation of social media for character assassination,” urging that any genuine concerns be channelled through legal and institutional processes.
“If there are genuine questions, let the relevant institutions handle them — not political jobbers or online mobs. The rule of law must prevail over rumour and blackmail,” he warned.
Agbese reaffirmed that Tunji-Ojo remains a valuable asset to both the executive and the legislature, describing him as “a young, competent, and patriotic leader redefining public service.”
“Dr. Tunji-Ojo is not just a super-performing minister; he’s parliament’s treasured asset — a young, competent, and patriotic leader who is redefining public service. Those trying to destroy him with fake allegations will fail because truth and performance speak louder than propaganda,” Agbese said.
Recall POLITICS NIGERIA earlier reported this month that the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, was accused of forging his NYSC certificate.
The allegation quickly spread across social media before being dismissed by several government sources as false and politically motivated.