Dr. Chris Ngige, Minister of Labour and Employment, has slammed former President Olusegun Obasanjo for criticizing President Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) in his New Year address to Nigerians.
The former Anambra State governor stated that the four major presidential candidates have the necessary and relevant experience to manage the affairs of the country, and he will neither campaign for or against any of them.
Ngige named the presidential candidates as Alhaji Abubakar Atiku of the Peoples Democratic Party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress, Mr. Peter Obi of the Labour Party, and Alhaji Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria People’s Party, speaking to journalists in his hometown of Alor, Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State, on Wednesday.
The preacher also gave some money to the poor, widows, and old people in the town.
Ngige informed the large throng assembled at Alor’s St. Mary’s Church Pavilion that the Federal Government was aware of the crisis and had urged that ministers return home to help their people since September.
He asserted that the current administration should not be held responsible for the country’s food and energy challenges because they exist throughout the world, not only in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, Ngige questioned Obasanjo’s contention that Nigeria had fallen far behind where it was when he took office in 1999.
He remembered that while he was governor of Anambra State, then-President Obasanjo stated his intention to build the Second Niger Bridge but failed to do so due to a lack of commitment.
“I was the one who took Buhari to the South East in 2015,” he claimed. As South East Zonal Coordinator, I informed the General that the bridge is vital to our people and the entire South, all the way up to North Central. When the General questioned if we could accomplish it, I said, ‘Why not?’ The same question he asked during the completion of the Ziks Mausoleum, and he promised me that if God made him president, he would build the bridge and finish the abandoned mausoleum for our people.
“I was the one who brought to the fore in our South East campaign the Second Niger Bridge, Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, and Enugu Airport renovation and remodelling, for which the Federal Government gave the Minister of Aviation, N10bn, the authority to execute the upgrade as critical infrastructural projects needed by the zone. Today, the tarmac has been rebuilt, and the runway has been extended from one to three kilometers, with sophisticated night lighting systems and navigational aids, among other projects.
“So, President Buhari deserves to be praised, but they would tell you that people are starving. Hunger is a worldwide issue. If you look at the news, you will see white people protesting hunger and high living costs in Europe and abroad.”
Ngige advised that Buhari should be left alone and should not be held responsible for everything that has gone wrong “under the sun.”
Ngige questioned what poverty reduction measures former President Olusegun Obasanjo put in place during his eight-year reign.
“Disregard those politicians who would come and tell you that the Buhari administration brought hardship and poverty on you,” he concluded. One of them, the regular national letter writer, penned a letter the other day. It is simple to criticize.”
