Anambra State chapter of APC distances itself from Ngige's refusal to back Tinubu

LABOUR and employment minister Dr Chris Ngige has been disowned by the members of his local Anambra State chapter of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) following his recent comments that he was undecided about who to back for president.

Next February, Nigerians go to the polls to elect a new president and at the moment, there are four frontrunners in the contest. These include former vice president Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), former Lagos State governor Asiwaju Tinubu of the APC, ex-Anambra State governor Obi of the Labour Party and former Kano State governor Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria Peoples Party.

Dr Ngige, from Anambra State, and a member of the ruling APC, had himself sought the party's presidential ticket but pulled out of the race before the primaries began. Last week, Dr Ngige hinted that he remains undecided about which presidential candidate to support in next year's election as he remains torn between Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Governor Peter Obi.

However, Chief Basil Ejidike, the chairman of the Anambra State chapter of the APC, said that the minister did not speak for the party. He stated that the APC has begun mapping out plans that can help the party win in Anambra State, expressing hope that Asiwaju Tinubu and his running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima become the next president and vice president of Nigeria.

Chief Ejidike said: “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 as he was not there to represent APC or speak for APC and the views he expressed are personal to him.

“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 mobilisation will be made manifest in 2023 after the election.

Apparently referring to Dr Ngige, the chairman called on Asiwaju Tinubu and Senator Shettima to reward loyalty, contribution and hard work when they assume office. He called ion them to do this instead of appointing those who contributed nothing to their making.