Ngige Finally Breaks Silence On Contesting Anambra State Governorship Election

Nigeria’s Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige has declared that though he has a right to seek election as the Governor of Anambra State, he was busy with a national assignment and won’t be distracted.

Ngige made the declaration in response to rumours that he has his sight set on contesting the 2021 governorship election in the state.

Naija News recalls that Dr Ngige, who was elected governor of Anambra State in 2003, was removed in 2006 by an Appeal Court judgement secured in favour of Mr Peter Obi.

Recently, rumours have had it that Ngige has been working on the leadership of the party in Abuja to ensure he gets the party’s nod to contest the 2021 election in his state.

However, speaking to newsmen in his country home in Alor, in Idemili Local Government Area, of the state on Sunday, Ngige disclosed that he won’t be dumping his national assignment to contest the Anambra governorship election.

“Yes, there have been speculations that I am eyeing the governorship of Anambra State. They have written about it in a lot of media. I am a politician. They have the right to speculate on my next move. My next move is very vast.

“Elections will come in 2023, I have a right to vie for any position. I can vie for Senate. I can vie for President if I so wish. Election will be coming in Anambra State, latest November 2021 to elect a successor to Obiano. I am not disqualified. I have a right to say I can run.

“I don’t have interest for now in Anambra governorship because I am on a national assignment.”

He spoke after presenting cash and food items as COVID-19 palliatives to some vulnerable persons in his community.

He also praised the Muhammadu Buhari led federal government for doing well for Nigerians and the people of the South East as well within five years on taking over governance of the country.

Ngige said, “Whether you’re a member of APC or PDP, APGA, Accord, APA, PPP, once you are vulnerable, you get. We started with my town. We will fan out to my local government, then to my entire senatorial district. We also intend to reach out to the church. If we don’t do it and COVID-19 kills all of us, what then will my foundation do?

“Our government has decided to enlarge the list of conditional cash transfer to bring more people. Some private individuals have made their own contribution running into billions. Government is sharing their own money and its own food to these people. It is still not enough. Individuals and organisations that can assist were beckoned on to assist. So, what my foundation is doing is part of the assistance.”

He listed work on the Second Niger Bridge, stretches of Enugu-Onitsha and Enugu-Port Harcourt highways and the Akanu Ibiam Airport as some of the achievements of the federal government in the South East.