Paschal Emeka, Abuja
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, has declared that he will not work for the emergence of any of the presidential candidates, in the February election.
According to Ngige, who is a card-carrying member of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, the four frontline presidential candidates are his friends, and he will not campaign for or against any of them.
The Minister stated this on Wednesday, in his country home in Alor while speaking to journalists.
He urged Nigerians to rather look at the programs of the candidates and determine which of them was better than the other, and vote right.
When prodded further on which of the candidates he thinks may win the election, Ngige said he would not like to predict, insisting Nigerians should be allowed to choose who they want to be their President.
Presenting an account of his relationship with each of the frontline presidential candidates, Ngige said: “Malam Kwankwaso, is my friend, I know him too as Deputy Speaker when he was deputizing Agunwa Anekwe, one of our party’s strong men.
“Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria was the man who was in the helm of affairs when I was ‘kidnapped’- when I was shoved out of office.
“He was standing in for Mr. President (Obasanjo), who was in Maputo, and he ordered the Inspector General of Police then, to reinstate me to office.
“I also worked with him in the economic team- National Economic Council as the Vice President. So, I know him, and he is a friend of mine, and we also formed AC together.
“Peter Obi, my brother, my successor, and my everything, I know him too and he is a friend. So, how do I campaign against any of them?
“Bola Ahmed Tinubu, my friend again supportive. During trying times; we formed AC together. I became the known opposition Senator in the Eastern Region under the auspices and platform of the ACN. So, he is not somebody I don’t know.”
I identify with his sentiments 100%.