Chris Ngige, the Minister of Labour and Employment, stated on Saturday that he will announce his presidential ambitions on Tuesday.
In his remark, Ngige stated that he would reveal his view on the 2023 presidency after the Easter holiday.
The former governor of Anambra State made the remarks at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu in response to a call from a pressure group led by the South East Progressive Forum, which stormed the airport and asked the minister to run for president in 2023.
He said, “This is an ambush. It’s an Easter ambush and anything done in Easter is spiritual. So I thank you people for meeting us here and saying what is in your mind. Make no mistake about it. It is us in the southern part of Nigeria that the presidency is due for. It’s also true, a truism that of all the zone in the Southern Nigeria that is only the South East zone that has not tasted the presidency.
“So, that gives much weight to the demand you are making now. Yes, in PDP, they are considering whether it will be North or South. No, in our own, as gentlemen we have already agreed in South.”
According to Ngige, he waited until after Jesus’ resurrection to seek God’s guidance in the presidential election.
He said, “In December 31, 2021 I told a group that after the spiritual season of lent, I will consult with my God and Angel and Arch-Angels. Easter is tomorrow and Easter is a resurrection day. We shall rise with the resurrection and after Easter Monday, I will make a pronouncement on my journey to the presidency.
“So we have done the consultation with mortal and immortal people and we are going to speak but make no mistake again, anything to be shared, if it is seven, it should be shared equally. If you collect first, collect second and collect again without others collecting, that’s where the problem comes.”
“I am inviting you on Tuesday to Alor, in Idemili South, where I will unveil my intention for the Presidency,” Ngige stated, thanking the gathering for believing in him.
“The issue of a consensus candidate has not arisen now,” Ngige said of the likelihood of the South East hopefuls proposing a single candidate. You must wait until all of the declarations have been made before proceeding. Not only the statement, but also the purchase of forms, the time when the forms are purchased, and the indication of interest. That is the first official step in the declaring process.
“So, after declaration of interest the people will buy the forms and fill, some people will buy form for some people too but that’s when the question for consensus will arise. So until we get to that bridge, we will cross it.”
