There is pressure from Anambra State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, to run for the presidency in 2023.
The pressure was mounted on Senator Ngige during the party’s 2021 end of the year get together at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church field in Alor, Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State, on December 31, 2021.
The end of the year get together which was attended by top notch of the party, adopted Ngige as the most credible Southeast candidate to run for the presidency in 2023.
The motion to adopt Senator Ngige as the Southeast candidate for 2023 presidential election was moved by the former member, representing Orumba North constituency in the House of Assembly from 2003 to 2007, Uchenna Okonkwo Okom and was seconded by the member representing Anambra State at the Federal Character Commission, Uche Ibeabuchi.
Okom in the motion said: “Ngige has served Anambra people meritoriously.
“He served under an unimaginable difficult and oppressive circumstances but left a record that is yet to be broken by his successors. He has shown character, consistency and an uncommon belief that Nigeria can work for all Nigerians with square pegs in square holes.
“At the labour ministry where the president entrusted him with the fate of the nation’s workforce, after a successful stint at the seventh Senate, where he was the only opposition legislator from the old Eastern Region, Ngige despite age-long teething challenges, inherited by the Buhari administration, has achieved stable industrial milieu.
“He has been the pivot for the aggregation of the problems and challenges facing our people, and making formidable representation before the presidency. And he does so, quietly, without airs. He has shown character. He has shown integrity and has shown friendship to every part of Nigeria. He is unarguably the South East’s best chance for a shot at the presidency. Duty, therefore, calls on us to urge him to rise to the occasion. ”
A former member of the old Anambra State House of Assembly in the Second Republic, Ozo Ughamadu who further supported the motion said that Ngige represent the aspiration of the people of Southeast for equity in Nigeria’s federation.
He said, “Besides, he has a tested capacity for delivery. He will be fair to every part of Nigeria. He has an exceptional capacity to look inwards and find solutions where others lose faith.”
While reacting to call for him to run for the presidency, Senator Ngige who hammered on topical state and national issues, stated that he was aware of the challenge thrown at him by his party members, adding that he is qualified to contest the election.
He however appealed to the party members to give him up to Easter 2022 to respond to their demand, adding that he has to discuss with his family members, political associates and other stakeholders before giving his reply to their request.
