Former Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, has refuted claims circulating on social media and some mainstream platforms that he criticized Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, during a recent interview.
The controversy arose from a televised interview on Signature TV, which marked Ngige’s birthday on August 8, 2025.
In the interview, Ngige was quoted as saying he is “not like Soludo who is always criticizing Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi.” The quote quickly went viral.
However, in a statement issued by Ngige’s Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Hggy Obialor, the former governor categorically denied making such remarks, insisting that the video had been “mischievously edited.”
“Our attention has been drawn to a news item circulating in the social media and some mainstream media purporting that our principal, His Excellency Chris Nwabueze Ngige MD, OON, CON, had critiqued Mr Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, CFR, alleging that he is not like him who is always criticising the presidential candidate of Labour Party in 2023 election, Mr. Peter Obi,” the statement read.
“This slant news is possibly taken out of the video of an interview granted to Signature TV marking his birthday on 8th August 2025.”
Ngige clarified that the clip was misleading and poorly edited.
“Firstly, a critical look at the video will show that this area has been badly edited. Dr. Ngige has been long in public office, both as a civil servant and as a public servant, 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.’”
According to Obialor, Signature TV has since acknowledged the error.
“We have called the attention of Signature TV to this anomaly, and they have apologised and have started making amends as that was the only area that was not affected,” he stated.
Addressing claims that Ngige was attacking Peter Obi, the statement noted:
“Whilst Gov. Ngige has nothing against Gov. Peter Obi, he was pointing out in that area of the interview that the gory aspect of inheriting a ‘failed state, with unpaid salaries, gratuities and pensions, no security, a place with unbridled corruption’ when he came in as Governor, which he paints, is not really so.”
The statement also reaffirmed Ngige’s respect for Governor Soludo.
“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 had served and represented us meritoriously at the national level — first as Chief Economic Adviser to the President and later as Central Bank Governor (2004–2009), all without blemish.”
“Sen. Dr. Ngige had also, as an elder statesman and former Governor of our state, eulogised him at both the 2nd and 3rd year anniversaries of his government for managing the resources [money and human] of the state with a lot of dexterity, excellence, and care. He has done very well,” the statement concluded
