ABUJA: Former Anambra State Governor, Senator Chris Ngige, has revealed that his removal from office in 2006 was a result of his refusal to appoint prominent political figure Chris Uba as his deputy.
Speaking in an interview in Abuja, Ngige, who also served as Minister of Labour and Employment under President Muhammadu Buhari, said he has no regrets about his ouster, describing the events as divinely orchestrated.
He also confirmed that he remains a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress APC, even though he is on a “sabbatical.”
Conditions
Ngige recalled a meeting brokered by the them Deputy Senate President, late Senator Ibrahim Mantu, who conveyed a condition from the state’s political power brokers.
“Mantu came to me and told me the things I was supposed to do,” Ngige said. “He came back and said, ‘Let us go and see the person.’ And the person told me the major condition would be that I should make Chris Uba my deputy governor.”
Ngige explained that he rejected the offer on two grounds. First, he feared that making Uba his deputy would grant him immunity, potentially leading to violence.
Second, he believed the people of Anambra would revolt against him, given that the same group had been responsible for burning down state infrastructure, including the House of Assembly and the governor’s office.
“I said that these people who said they are taking over and burnt the place are not the people who should come and govern you,” Ngige stated. “I said no. You can take my seat. No problem. God is in charge.”
A devout Catholic, Ngige said he believes in predestination and accepted his removal as part of God’s plan.
He also noted that he chose not to challenge the court ruling to prevent further violence and bloodshed in the state.
Ngige also addressed his decision to employ individuals he called “bad boys” during his tenure.
He clarified that these were local vigilante groups used to combat crime and insecurity.
The former minister explained that he passed a bill to establish the Anambra Vigilance Service AVS in every community and used his security votes to fund them.
“We gave employment to all of them and brought the bad boys and said, look, you people are bad boys, look at the list, any false movement, you are dead, but you owe us a duty to show us other bad boys,” he said.
Ngige stated that these vigilance team members were paid a “handsome amount of money,” given food, and provided with transportation and phone credit.
“The people were ready to defend their state,” he concluded. “That is what security fund is all about. But many governors don’t spend security votes. It is pocket money for them, it is money for buying property.”
