Ngige dismisses alleged criticism of Gov Soludo

Former Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, has dismissed a trending television interview in which he was quoted as saying that he is not like Governor Charles Soludo, who has been criticising former governor Mr. Peter Obi.

The television station in question has since apologised to Ngige and the general public over the mix-up — a development that has effectively laid the matter to rest.

In a statement issued by Ngige’s Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Hggy Obialor, the former governor maintained that he never disparaged Governor Soludo, stressing that Soludo, both as a public servant and sitting governor, has shown manifest dedication to service. He added that the trending video was mischievously edited.

“Our attention has been drawn to a news item circulating on social media and in some mainstream media, purporting that our principal, His Excellency Chris Nwabueze Ngige, MD, OON, CON, had criticised the Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, CFR, alleging that he is not like him, who is always criticising the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi.

“This slanted news is possibly taken out of the video of an interview granted to Signature TV to mark his birthday on 8 August 2025,” the statement read.

Ngige further clarified the matter, stating:

“Firstly, a critical look at the video will show that this section was badly edited. Dr. Ngige has been in public office — both as a civil servant and as an elected official — long enough to be careful with his choice of words. What Dr. Ngige said was: ‘But constitutionally, he is entitled to his opinion and views on any matter.’

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“We have called the attention of Signature TV to this anomaly, and they have apologised and started making amends, as that was the only area that was affected.”

The statement continued:

“Whilst Dr. Ngige has nothing against Mr. Peter Obi, he was merely pointing out, in that part of the interview, that the gory picture painted about inheriting a ‘failed state’ — with unpaid salaries, gratuities, and pensions, no security, and unbridled corruption — when he assumed office as governor, was not entirely accurate.

“His Excellency Chris Ngige (Onwa) holds the incumbent Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, CFR (Odenigbo), in very high esteem as one of the best from our state, who has served and represented us meritoriously at the national level — first as Chief Economic Adviser to the President, and later as Central Bank Governor from 2004 to 2005 — all without blemish.

“Senator Ngige, as an elder statesman and former governor of our state, has also eulogised Governor Soludo at both the second and third anniversaries of his administration for managing the state’s resources — both financial and human — with dexterity, excellence, and care. He has done very well,” the statement concluded

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