The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, has revealed why he would not back any particular presidential candidate in the February election.
The minister stated this on Wednesday, in his Alor country home, while speaking with journalists.
Asked to predict the candidate that will win the election, Ngige declined, insisting that Nigerians should be allowed to choose who they want to be their president.
Giving an account of his personal relationship with each of the frontline presidential candidates, Ngige said: “Mallam (Rabiu Musa) Kwankwaso is my friend. I know him too as Deputy Speaker when he was deputizing Agunwa Anekwe, one of our party’s strong men.
“Alhaji Atiku Abubakar (former) Vice President the Federal Republic of Nigeria is the man who was in the helm of affairs when I was ‘kidnapped’- when I was shoved out of office.
“He was standing in for Mr. President (Obasanjo), who was in Maputo, and he ordered the Inspector General of Police then, to reinstate me to office.
“I also worked with him in the economic team – National Economic Council as the Vice President. So, I know him, and he is a friend of mine, and we also formed AC together.
“Peter Obi; my brother; my successor and my everything. I know him too and he is a friend. So, how do I campaign against any of them?
“Bola Ahmed Tinubu, my friend again – supportive. During trying times; we formed AC together. I became the known opposition Senator in the Eastern region under the auspices and platform of the ACN. So, he is not somebody I don’t know.”