By Cross Udo, Abuja
The former Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, has rebutted circulating reports that falsely portray him as criticising Governor Chukwuma Soludo, of Anambra State, over his stance on Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate.
Ngige, who was a former governor of Anambra state, in a statement released by his Special Assistant Hygg Obialor, clarified that a portion of his interview with Signature TV on his birthday, August 8, 2025, was deliberately edited to distort his views. While some media outlets implied that Ngige accused Soludo of unduly criticising Obi, the whole context reveals otherwise.
He said, “I don’t want to be like Soludo, whom our people wrongly perceive everything he says to be against Peter Obi.”
He further acknowledged Soludo’s constitutional right to his own opinions, saying, “Signature TV has since apologised for the misleading edit and is working to correct the record.”
The statement emphasises that Ngige holds no ill will towards Obi. Instead, he highlighted the challenging circumstances he inherited upon assuming office as governor, describing a “failed state” riddled with unpaid salaries, gratuities, pensions, insecurity, and corruption.
He clarified that during his administration, arrears related to salaries and pensions from the previous Mbadinuju administration were cleared, and pensions were increased by 142%, with these financial obligations made a first-line charge.
The statement also noted that Obi inherited substantial funds totalling N13.8 billion across various state accounts, including N8.7 billion in the Infrastructure Account and N2.8 billion in the ASUBEB account dedicated to education.
In recognition of Soludo’s leadership, Ngige expressed high esteem for him as a distinguished son of Anambra and as a diligent steward of state resources both nationally and locally.
The former governor previously lauded Soludo’s achievements during the second and third anniversaries of his administration.
The statement concluded affirming that Soludo “has done very well” and extends continued support for his governance.
