Anambra Guber 2021: I’m Too Busy As A Minister To Start Eyeing A Provincial Job, Says Ngige

Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige said he is too busy carrying out his national assignment as minister to begin to give attention to the politics of 2021 governorship election in Anambra State.

Ngige told reporters at his country home in Alor, in Idemili Local Government Area on Sunday, after presenting cash and food items worth about N15m as COVID-19 palliatives to some vulnerable persons in the area, that he has a right to contest for the position but he was too busy with his national assignment as a minister to start eyeing “a provincial job.”

He 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?

“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.

“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.”

Commenting on the effort of the Federal Government on the South East region, the labour minister said the President, Muhammadu Buhari has done well for Nigeria especially the South East within the last five years.  He listed some of the achievements, such as the work on the Second Niger Bridge, stretches of Enugu-Onitsha and Enugu-Port Harcourt highways and the Akanu Ibiam Airport.