The Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, has become the latest member of the ruling All Progressives Congress to publicly turn down the prospect of drumming support for his party’s presidential flag bearer, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.
The minister, who was a late night guest on Politics Today, a popular programme on Channels television, hesitated when asked who he would vote for between Tinubu and his fellow kinsman, Peter Obi of the Labour Party ahead of the 2023 elections.
Ngige dodged the question, saying he is no longer active in politics and would make his decision on Election Day.
He said, “I’m not active in politics for now because I am facing a national assignment,” he said.
“Both of them are my friends. My choice will be in the ballot box. It is a secret ballot. I shouldn’t tell Nigerians what I would do secretly,’’ he said evasively.
While making a comparative analysis between Tinubu and Obi, the minister conceded that the former Lagos governor did creditably well in restoring sanity and order to the former Nigerian capital.
Ngige’s statement caused a stir on social media and among his party supporters who frowned on his utterance.
Political analysts argued that the minister’s stance confirmed speculations that a number of ministers and party members may be opposed to Tinubu’s presidential ambition.
