Former Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, has issued a stern warning to the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Anambra State, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu, over the unauthorized use of his image in campaign materials.
Ngige expressed his displeasure at campaign posters circulating online, which feature his photograph alongside those of Ukachukwu and his running mate, Senator Uche Ekwunife.
He described the act as misleading and cautioned against any attempt to associate him with the campaign.
The former governor’s reaction was conveyed in a statement released on Tuesday and signed by his Special Assistant on Media Affairs, Hyggy Obialo.
“Our attention has been drawn to the online poster in circulation with the photograph of our principal, His Excellency, Senator Chris Nwabueze Ngige, ‘Onwa-na-etiliora’, featuring together with the Anambra State APC governorship candidate, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu and his deputy, Senator Uche Ekwunife,” the statement read.
“We want to use this medium to inform the general public that neither the consent nor approval of our principal was sought and/or obtained, respectively, before the said publication was disseminated to the general public.”
The statement emphasized that Ngige has stepped back from partisan politics to take a well-earned break after over two decades of public service.
“We further wish to inform the general public, that Senator Chris Nwabueze Ngige, a former Governor of Anambra State (2003–2006), former Senator who represented Anambra State Central Senatorial District in the seventh Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (2011–2015), and a two term Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment (2015–2023), is on sabbatical from active partisan politics for now as he is taking his well-deserved rest after 25 years of active partisan politics and public service.”
The statement concluded with an appeal to those behind the posters to honor Ngige’s decision to stay out of politics.
“We, therefore, advise the perpetrators to respect the wishes of our principal, who has indicated in many fora that he is out of partisan politics for now.”
