A former governor of Anambra State and presently Senator representing Anambra Central, Dr. Chris Ngige, at the weekend said that it had not been easy playing politics of opposition in Nigeria, in view of the domineering attitude by those in government.
Still basking in the euphoria of the victory of All Progressives Congress, APC, in the March 28, 2015 presidential election, Ngige, who had been in Abuja with President-elect Muhammadu Buhari, said he played opposition politics for 10 years and, therefore, knew how the shoe pinched.
The medical doctor-turned politician, who returned to a hero’s welcome by members of the APC in Awka, said: “I must thank all those who remained steadfast in APC because playing opposition can be frustrating and tempting.
“Though I was receiving overtures from the ruling party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, I rejected them because the principles on which we formed that party were jettisoned and bastardised.
“At the amalgamation of some political parties to form APC, I decided to run for governor but many notable politicians told me that though I am a good candidate, it was better for me not to run because I must never be allowed to win as the forces against me were numerous
“However, I insisted on running because God had told me that APC would form the next Federal Government. Though I did not win the governorship, I was consistently telling our people that APC was the best bet for Igbo in Nigerian politics.
“But many Igbo people, who are benefiting from Federal Government contracts, decided to sacrifice the future of their children and children’s children. I know many of these Igbo contractors cannot play opposition politics and their next move may be to move into APC.
“Let me assure consistent members of APC that we are going to screen those who may wish to join us in APC. While our doors will remain open to welcome new members, we will only admit those who are good, as we will not make it an all comers’ affair”.
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