Igbo in 19 northern states endorse Ngige
A meeting of Ndieze Igbo in the Diaspora and Igbo Delegate Assembly (IDA) comprising Igbo living in the 19 states of Northern Nigeria rose yesterday in Abuja, with a unanimous resolution to support the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Nwabueze Ngige for the 2023 presidential race.
They urged Ngige to henceforth stop his consultations and join the race for the country’s plum job.
The President General of IDA, Chief Chi Nwogu, who announced the resolution, said that Ngige by his antecedents had proved his mettle in leadership and if Nigerians decide to seek for an Igboman to lead the country, he should be the one.
Nwogu said the Igbo were tired of playing the second fiddle in Nigeria’s politics and wished to produce the successor to President Muhammadu Buhari.
He said: “We want to produce the President of Nigeria in 2023. We don’t want Vice President. Please Ngige, you have done enough consultations. Don’t consult again. Join the presidential race.
“We know your antecedents the periods you served as governor of Anambra State and Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. You have been in the ‘labour room’ in the past seven years as the Minister of Labour and Employment, attending to all the labour disputes brought to your table. Please, join the presidential race. We will support you. We will follow you to Aso Rock.”
Speaking in a similar vein, the Eze-Ndigbo Bauchi, Igwe Jude Umezika, described Ngige as a unifier and bridge-builder who would unify Nigeria and safeguard the lives and property of the Igbo and other Nigerians wherever they live in the country.
Also speaking, Ezeudo of Abuja, Dr Uche Egenti, described Ngige as a bold, courageous and brave man, expressing confidence that if given the opportunity to serve as president, he would replicate his excellent performance in Anambra State in Nigeria.
Earlier while consulting the group on his presidential ambition, Ngige reaffirmed his belief in one united, fair, equitable and just Nigeria, saying that the Igbo have property scattered across the country.
He said that the president of Nigeria should be for the most competent person irrespective of where he or she comes from.
Ngige recalled that his administration in Anambra State executed 105 road projects traversing the entire 21 local government areas of Anambra State and linking neighbouring states of Imo, Abia and Enugu.
He said that Anambra people rewarded him with a seat at the Senate where he represented Anambra Central and they made good laws for the country, such as the 2013 Health Act he made in collaboration with Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa, the incumbent Delta State governor.
Ngige said that he has been Minister of Labour and Employment for two terms since in 2015 and has been labouring in the labour room ever since, attending to labour disputes from ASUU, doctors and other unions, so that things would continue moving.
“I am doing all these as your ambassador, trying to represent the Igbo well. I think I have done well. Now, we are talking about the president of Nigeria. President Muhammad, my friend, has worked for Nigeria. But, no one man will finish every work. His tenure is coming to an end. I have told him that those who will replace him are those who understand what is being said, to ensure that we execute our programmes 100 per cent. I don’t have money, but I know I have the capacity to do the job. I am still consulting and will take a decision by Easter. Being a good Christian, I have committed everything to God.”
