A former national publicity secretary of the defunct New Peoples Democratic Party, (NPDP), Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, has slammed those criticizing the Minister of Labour, Chris Ngige for refusing to openly back the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
OsunDaily News recalls that during a recent interview on Channels Television, Ngige, when asked his preferred candidate between the APC’s Tinubu and the Labour Party’s Peter Obi, refused to openly endorse anyone.
He had said, “My choice will be in the ballot box. It is a secret ballot. I shouldn’t tell Nigerians what I would do secretly.”
Ngige move to remain on the fence was condemned by some APC stalwarts who demanded that the Minister resign from his position for refusing to openly pledge allegiance to Tinubu.
Reacting to the situation in a statement on Thursday, Eze described those making such calls as sycophants and people with a very poor grasp of the essence of democracy.
He said, “The campaigns are here and they should be issue-based. Citizens are allowed to extensively assess the planned policies and programs of each candidate canvassing for their votes to know who merits their support and any candidate who is able to convince the people to believe in his plans of action wins the election.
“That is the beauty of democracy and Nigerians should be happy over the progress we are making in the journey to strengthen democracy in our body of polity.
“Ngige remains a man whose input and sacrifices to the formation of APC and the growth of our nascent democracy cannot be overemphasized.
“What did Ngige actually say to warrant such a foolish suggestion? While answering a question of who amongst Bola Tinubu of APC and Peter Obi of Labour Party he will likely vote for in the 2023 presidential election.”
Speaking further, Eze, a member of the APC Legacy Projects Media Team, wondered if those calling for Ngige to openly pick a side knew the effect such a decision would have on the minister.
He stated that if Ngige picks Tinubu he would be sidelined by his community and if he decides to go with Peter Obi then some members of the APC would demand that he resigns.
He said “I do wonder if those making such an insinuation will want Dr. Ngige to say that he will vote for Tinubu on national TV so that he will no longer be safe in his community or that he will vote for Peter Obi so that those who don’t like him will then ask for his sack.”
Eze opined that Ngige’s ability to make smart descions made him to remain neutral.
Commending Ngige for his bravery, Eze said he is excited that President Buhari does not pay attention to issues as trivial as the call for Nigige’s sack on grounds of the exercise of a right which is private and exclusive to him, like every private Nigerian.
“I must salute Dr. Ngige for whom he is and the level of wisdom he displayed in answering such a very controversial question. Let the candidates take their sermons to the electorates and whoever wins the heart of the majority of the electorates wins the election”, Eze declared.
This article was originally published on OsunDaily News
