By BONIFACE AKARAH

Former Minister of Power, Prof. Bart Nnaji, has denied claims circulating online that he registered with a political party, describing the report as baseless and misleading.

In a statement issued on Friday and signed by Edise Ekong, Senior Manager, Brand Media Communications at Aba Power, Nnaji said he does not belong to any political party and has no plans to join one.

According to the statement, the renowned engineer and entrepreneur has been receiving inquiries from individuals across different parts of the world following the online report alleging his involvement in Nigerian partisan politics.

“Professor Nnaji does not belong to any political party, let alone register for anyone online. He has no plans of registering with any political party having served Nigeria at the Federal level twice as Minister of Science and Technology and later as Minister of Power under different administrations,” the statement said.

The former minister also dismissed claims that the Federal Government had been coercing him to work with the five South-East state governments to provide electricity to the region.

“There is no grain of truth in this allegation and Professor Nnaji unequivocally denies the whole story about his affiliation with any political party in Nigeria,” the statement added.

It said Nnaji’s interest in supporting power development across the country, particularly in the South-East, predates the allegation and does not require political affiliation.

“Nnaji does not require the Federal Government to coerce him to work for the development of basic infrastructure in the Southeast or any other geopolitical zone, nor does he require to register with any political party whatsoever to achieve that vision,” the statement said.

The statement highlighted the activities of Geometric Power, noting that the company continues to expand electricity supply in parts of the region.

According to the statement, Aba Power, the electricity distribution arm of Geometric Power, currently supplies electricity to communities in the Aba ring-fenced area of Abia State and recently extended supply to Etche Local Government Area in Rivers State.

It further recalled that in 2013 Geometric Power formed a special purpose vehicle with the five South-East state governments and regional investors under the Eastern Electric Company to bid for Enugu Electricity Distribution Company during the privatisation of assets of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, though the effort was unsuccessful.

Despite the setback, the statement said Nnaji has continued to partner with investors to develop power projects across Nigeria.

The statement also criticised media outlets for publishing claims about Nnaji’s alleged political affiliation without verifying the information.

“It is inappropriate for any medium, whether traditional or online, to publish reports of so-called Prof Nnaji’s involvement in partisan politics without endeavouring to speak to him or any of his associates,” the statement said.

It added that Nnaji maintains an open-door policy and remains available to journalists seeking accurate and balanced information.