By Okey Maduforo Awka.
Former Minister for Labour and Employment Sen Chris Ngige has dismissed a trending television interview in which he was quoted as saying that he is not like Gov Charles Soludo who has been criticizing former governor Mr Peter Obi.
Already the said Television station has already apologized to Ngige and the general public over the mix up; a development that has laid the matter to rest .
According to a statement by the Special Assistant to Ngige on Media Mr Hggy Obialor the former governor never disparaged Gov Charles Soludo contending that Soludo as public servant and as a sitting governor has shown manifest dedication to service adding that the trending video was mischievous.
“Our attention has been drawn to a news item circulating in the social Media and some main stream media purporting that our principal His Excellency Chris Nwabueze Ngige MD, OON, CON, had critiqued Mr Governor of Anambra State, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, CFR, alleging that he is not like him who is always criticising the Presidential candidate of Labour party in 2023 election Mr Peter Obi”
“This slant news is possibly taken out of the video of an interview granted to Signature TV marking his birthday on 8th August 2025”
Ngige further threw more light on the allegations pointing out that ;
“Firstly a critical look of the video will show that this area has been badly edited. Dr Ngige has been long in public office both as a civil servant and as a public servant to be careful with his choice of words. What Dr. Ngige said was:”
“”But constitutionally, he is entitled to his opinion and views on any matter.”
“We have called the attention of Signature TV to this anomaly, and they have apologised and have started making amends as that was the only area that was not affected”
Continuing the statement stated that;
“Whilst Gov. Ngige has nothing against Gov. Peter Obi, he was pointing out in that area of the interview that the gory aspect of inheriting a “failed state, with unpaid salaries, gratuities and pensions, no security, a place with unbridled corruption” when he came in as Governor, which he paints is not really so”
“His Excellency , Chris Ngige, Onwa, holds the incumbent Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, CFR, (Odenigbo) in very high esteem as one the best from our state who had served and represented us meritoriously at the National level first as Chief Economic Adviser to the President and later as Central Bank Governor 2004-2005, all without blemish. Sen. D. Ngige had also as an Elder statesman and former Governor of our State eulogised him at both the 2nd and 3rd Year Anniversaries of his Government for managing the resources [money and human] of the State with a lot of dexterity, excellence, and care. He has done very well” the statement concluded.
