Former governor of Anambra State and the Senator, representing Anambra Central, Dr. Chris Ngige, over the weekend, lamented that playing opposition in Nigeria has not been an easy ride because of what he dubbed the domineering attitude by those in government.

Ngige, who received a hero’s welcome organized by members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Anambra State on his return from Abuja, said he played opposition politics for 10 years and, therefore, knew how the shoe pinched.

“I must thank all those who remained steadfast in APC because playing opposition can be frustrating and tempting. Though I was receiving overtures from the ruling party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), I rejected them because the principles on which we formed that party were jettisoned and bastardised.

He recalled that at the amalgamation of some political parties to form APC, he decided to run for governor.

But many notable politicians, he also recalled, told him that though he was a good candidate, it was better for him not to run because some forces would never allow him to win.

Ngige said he insisted on running because God had told him that APC would form the next federal government. Though he did not win the governorship, he noted, he was consistently telling his people that APC was the best bet for Igbo in Nigerian politics.

“But many Igbo people, who are benefiting from federal government contracts decided to sacrifice the future of their children and children’s children. I know many of these Igbo contractors cannot play opposition politics and their next move may be move into APC.

“Let me assure consistent members of APC that we are going to screen those who may wish to join us in APC. While our doors will remain open to welcome new members, we will only admit those who are good, as we will not make it an all comers affair,” he said.

He assured the people of the South-East that the likely scenario in the nation’s politics is that when General Muhammadu Buhari completes his eight years as president, it will be the turn of Ndigbo.

Similarly, the member representing Ogbaru federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Mr. Afam Ogene, who dumped the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) shortly before the March 28, presidential and National Assembly election and contested the election on the platform of APC, said at the reception, that by mere political miscalculation, Igbo have lost the positions of the senate president and speaker of House of Representatives by not voting for APC candidates.

He stressed that efforts would be made to recover what he described as the stolen mandate of APC candidates during the election and urged members of the party to remain calm.

•Photo shows Senator Ngige.

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