The Anambra State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has disowned the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, over a recent interview he granted a television station.

Ngige in the interview failed to state if he would vote for the APC candidate in the 2023 election, saying that voting was a matter of conscience and not to be stated publicly.

In a press conference on Thursday, the Anambra State chairman of the party, Chief Basil Ejidike disowned Ngige, saying that the minister did not speak for the party in Anambra State.

Ejidike, who also spoke on the continued usurpation of the position of publicity secretary of the party by one Okelo Madukife, also discountenanced him, saying he has long been suspended from the party, and has not been readmitted.

He said: “We are here to clear the air on the misinformation of the public by the former publicity secretary of the party, Mr Okelo Madukife, and the recent interview by the minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr Chris Ngige on Channels Television.

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“Ngige was on Channels and was unable to express support for the candidate of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu in the coming election.

“For us, we believe his appearance was personal and has nothing to do with APC in Anambra State. He was not there to represent APC or speak for APC. The views he expressed are personal to him.”

The chairman stated that Anambra State APC has restrategized, and have been mapping out plans that can help the party attain victory in Anambra State, expressing hope that Tinubu and his running mate, Kashim Shettima would become the next president and vice president of Nigeria.

“APC in Anambra is fully committed to delivering Tinubu in the forthcoming election. We have set up committees to ensure that this time around, no stone is left unturned. The strength of our mobilization will be made manifest in 2023 after the election.

“The recent appointment of Imo State governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma who is the financier of APC in the South East, and Margery Okadigbo as the campaign coordinator will help us to attain victory.”

Apparently referring to Ngige, the chairman called on Tinubu and Shettima to reward loyalty, contribution and hard work, when they become president, and vice president, instead of appointing those who contributed nothing to their making.

On the alleged usurpation of the position of publicity secretary by Mr Okelo Madukife, Ejidike said: “To the best of my knowledge, Okelo has not been readmitted into the party since his suspension.

“In other words, he is not a member of the APC in Anambra State. A new Congress was conducted this January and because he has not been readmitted, he could not purchase the form. He did not participate and was not elected. The publicity secretary of the party is Mr Valentine Oliobi and not Okelo.”