Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, says he will join the growing number of persons vying for Nigeria’s presidency in 2023.
In a statement by his media office in Abuja, the former governor said he would officially declare his intention to run on Tuesday.
According to the statement, Ngige spoke about his presidential aspiration at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, during a reception organised by the All Progressive Congress South-East Progressive Forum.
He said he had consulted widely and reached out to key stakeholders and he had decided that it was time for him to make things public.
The former governor stated that, “I have ears and heard your message clearly. You should all come to my hometown, Alor, in Idemili South local government area of Anambra State on Tuesday. I will make a pronouncement that day”
He averred that the fact that only South East had not occupied the plum office of the presidency gave legitimacy to the agitation of zoning it to the geopolitical zone.
“Make no mistake about it, the presidency is due to us in the Southern part of Nigeria. It is also truism that of all states in the South, only the South-East has not tasted the presidency. That gives much weight to the demand you are making.
“In PDP, they are arguing whether it will be North or South. In our own party, APC, we have already agreed that it is South. I told my supporters when they came on December 31 last year that I will speak after the spiritual season of Lent, to enable me consult my God, angels and archangels. Easter is tomorrow.
“It is the resurrection day. We shall rise with the resurrection and after Easter Monday, I will make a pronouncement on my journey to the presidency,” he said.
On the issue of consensus among APC aspirants in the South-East, he said such an issue was likely to arise after the purchase of expression of interest forms.