Dr. Chris Ngige ought to be in jail rather than in the hallowed chambers of the Senate, a spokesman for Anambra State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi, has said.

Chief Press Secretary Mike Udah was responding to Ngige’s recent utterances in which he insinuated poor performance and corruption on the part of the Obi administration. Media reports had quoted Ngige as claiming that Obi has received about two trillion naira since he assumed office some seven years hence, saying: “We have nothing to show for it. What do we have in Anambra State in terms of infrastructure to show for the N2 trillion received by the governor?”

Ngige, who was trounced twice by Obi in Anambra’s governorship battles, is warming up to contest the election to be used to choose Obi’s successor scheduled for late this year.

Reacting to Ngige’s outburst, Udah said in a statement he issued yesterday afternoon in Awka, the state capital:

“One is surprised that Ngige should raise this type of question, and to add salt to injury, attempt to compare Governor Obi’s legitimate Administration to the stolen mandate which he enjoyed until it was taken away from him by the Law. In civilised societies, Ngige should have been jailed for electoral thievery and forced to return to Government coffers all the salaries and allowances he received while his illegal sojourn in Awka Government House lasted.

“But let us leave this for another day. The truth of the matter is that Governor Peter Obi has surpassed whatsoever his predecessors (including Ngige) did in office. I mean all they had done put together! A tip of the iceberg: he constructed over 380 kilometres of roads across Anambra State with every community and Local Government Area getting its fair share. This equitable distribution of roads and other infrastructure was not done by Ngige when he illegally held sway.

“In addition, Governor Obi, through his spectacular partnership with the Church, has revolutionalised the state of Healthcare and Education in Anambra State, a scenario which the World Bank and even the Federal Government of Nigeria have seen as a model and recommended to all the States in the country to emulate. The manner in which old structures were, and are being, refurbished and new ones begun and completed in schools and health institutions in Anambra State is legendary. From Queen of the Rosary Hospital, Borromeo Hospital and School of Nursing and Midwifery, Onitsha, Iyi-Enu Hospital, Ogidi to Our Lady of Lourdes, Ihiala and School of Nursing, Adazi to mention just a few, the story is the same. It is one of unrivalled transformation!

“And how about Governor Obi’s relationship with International Donor Agencies who have found favour in the honest, hardworking, down-to-earth helmsman? Has Ngige forgotten so soon that Anambra State under him, was a Pariah State deserted by UNICEF, DFID, World Bank and other development partners? Today, they are besieging Anambra just as the Ambassadors/High Commissioners of World Powers are doing.

“Someone should please tell Ngige that his Arithmetic was wrong - what Governor Obi has invested in Anambra State is quite higher than N2 trillion!

“This is because over and above what Ngige could see, he has in fact sourced and got serious funding and numerous forms of assistance from individuals, corporate institutions and friends who know he is on a rescue mission, and are impressed with the sacrifices he is making as well as the turn-around which Anambra has been witnessing since he mounted the saddle.

“Should one begin to recount Governor Obi’s efforts at re-industrialising Anambra State? Or should we talk about the moral rebirth which he has midwifed and institutionalised? Obi’s achievements are legion! For one, SabMiller is doing brisk business at Onitsha. Several other foreign companies are setting up shops. How many industries did Ngige attract when he was an illegal Governor?

“Let someone please tell Ngige that his illegal stint at Government House, Awka cannot be compared to Peter Obi’s transformation spree. Only mischievous fellows can compare apples to oranges!”

•Photo shows Senator Ngige.

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