The All Progressives Congress (APC) has disowned the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, over his refusal to publicly declare support for its presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu.
Recall that Ngige in a recent television interview failed to state if he would vote for the APC standard bearer in the 2023 poll, saying that voting was a matter of conscience and not to be stated publicly.
Chairman of the Anambra state chapter of the APC, Chief Basil Ejidike, at a press conference on Thursday, disowned Ngige, saying that the minister did not speak for the party in Anambra where he hails from.
Ejidike, who also spoke on the continued usurpation of the position of publicity secretary of the party by one Okelo Madukife, also discountenanced him, saying he has long been suspended from the party, and has not been readmitted.
His words: “We are here to clear the air on the misinformation of the public by the former publicity secretary of the party, Mr Okelo Madukife, and the recent interview by the minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr Chris Ngige on Channels Television.
“Ngige was on Channels and was unable to express support for the candidate of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu in the coming election.
“For us, we believe his appearance was personal and has nothing to do with APC in Anambra State. He was not there to represent APC or speak for APC. The views he expressed are personal to him.”
The APC chairman said the that Anambra APC has restrategised, and have mapped out plans to help the party attain victory in Anambra, expressing hope that Tinubu and his running mate, Kashim Shettima would become the next president and vice president of Nigeria.
“APC in Anambra is fully committed to delivering Tinubu in the forthcoming election. We have set up committees to ensure that this time around, no stone is left unturned. The strength of our mobilization will be made manifest in 2023 after the election.
“The recent appointment of Imo State governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma who is the financier of APC in the South East, and Margery Okadigbo as the campaign coordinator will help us to attain victory.”
Apparently referring to Ngige, the chairman called on Tinubu and Shettima to reward loyalty, contribution and hard work, when they become president, and vice president, instead of appointing those who contributed nothing to their making.
