The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, has bowed out of Anambra senatorial race for reasons yet to be ascertained.

Making the disclosure during the grand opening of the Senator Uche Ekwunife Event Center located along the Enugu-Onitsha expressway, Awka at the weekend, Ekwunife commended Ngige for making the right choice in her, adding that she was in the race to reclaim her victory which she claimed was “stolen by the Nigerian judiciary”.

News Express recalls that Senator Ekwunife had in the last senatorial election, which she contested under the platform of PDP against Senator Victor Umeh of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), was declared winner of the Anambra Central senatorial election, but was later sacked from the Red chambers by the court.

Though, Ngige could not be reached for his reaction after telling journalists recently that he was under pressure to contest, the senator hailed him for buying the nomination forms for her, saying that in so doing, he has showcased the true quality of a leader.

Her words: “I want to specially thank Dr. Chris Ngige for buying the party’s nomination form for me to contest the Anambra central senatorial election.

“I am poised to reclaim my mandate which was stolen from me by the Nigerian judiciary and handed over to Senator Victor Umeh, who is currently representing the district.

“It is not about political party but the personality I represent. Senator Uche Ekeunife stands for every party. You can see Governor Ugwuanyi of the PDP here, so it is not about party. We are going to reclaim our mandate.

“Ngige is the leader of the party, he needed to direct the party aright, that was why he bought and gave me the form to fill.

“It is not about party this time, but about the right person, and I am the right person for that seat. Umeh said he was going there to roar like a lion, but we are yet to even see him bark like a dog.

“He has not provided the needed leadership in the Senate, and we are going to take back the position from him.

The event was attended by members of the APC from all states of the South-East; clergymen, led by Bishop Paulinus Ezeokafor; Catholic Bishop of Awka diocese, who conducted the mass to herald the opening of the centre.

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