- *BREAKING NEWS: NGIGE BOWS TO PRESSURE, DECLARES PRESIDENTIAL AMBITION*
The former Governor of Anambra State and current Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige (OON) may have succumbed to intense pressure by his numerous supporters to contest for the Office of the President in the forthcoming 2023 general elections. A close ally of the Minister indicated that after serious underground consultations by Dr. Chris Ngige, he has decided to throw his hat into the 2023 presidential ring.
According to him, “Onwa as you know is a very popular politician in the country whose political tentacles extend across the country by virtue of being a former governor in a difficult state like Anambra, a Senator of the Federal Republic and now a two-time Minister. He therefore has a strong political network to leverage on. The truth is that since last year when he decided not to contest for Governor in last governorship election in Anambra State, he has been consulting with his wide political structure and critical stakeholders across the country on a possible presidential run. Dr. Ngige believes that this is the best chance for Igbos to produce a Nigerian President and he has all it takes to be that Igbo President.”
According to the source who spoke on the condition of anonymity, Dr. Chris Ngige has finally announced to his base that he will be contesting for President under the platform of the APC and will inform Mr. President once he returns from the 35th Session of the African Union holding in Ethiopia and thereafter officially inform Nigerians in a World Press Conference in Abuja. On whether the Minister has the financial capacity to sustain a presidential bid, the source simply said, “just wait and see!”
This presidential declaration of interest by Dr. Chris Ngige is coming few days after the man that replaced him as Anambra State governor, Mr. Peter Obi announced on Twitter that he will be contesting for President only if his party, the People’s Democratic Party zones the presidential ticket to the South.
With the declaration of Ngige, the field of aspirants from the South is swelling by the day. At the last count, not fewer than six aspirants from the South East have indicated interest to vie for the presidency under various political platforms. With the entrance of Dr. Chris Ngige into the race, the dynamics in the All Progressive Congress especially in the South East will surely change bearing in mind that three other heavyweights, Gov. Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State, Sen. Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, and Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu of Abia State have made their ambitions known.
