Controversial Minister of Labour and Productivity,Dr Chris Ngige’s was the former Governor of Anambara state,whose tenure was characterise by alot of political bickerings that led to the premature ouster, through impeachment during the Obasanjo’s administration.
Ngige the only serving Governor in Nigeria who was kidnapped during his tenure was known for his pleasure in crises ridden environment,even though he lost out in Anambara.
This is aiside the Okija shrine saga where he was neck deep involved as governance was taken beyond peoples welfare to fetish tendencies.
Having gone into political Oblivion after his impeachment,Senator Ngige retracted to strategize it’s peculiar way of politicking, that only fits his whims and caprices,as he return to the Senate amidst lot of bickerings,inter and intra political rivalry,that saw his newly found APC platform electing him to the Senate , representing his area in 2015.
Even at the Senate,the fierce looking Senator was rumoured to have been responsible for the political misadventure of Late vibrant Dora Akunyili,who had made an Indelible mark on the sands of time and her possible demise .
Ngige’s self styled and novel political manouvre saw his relevance at the National level,that led to his nomination as Minister representing his state at the Federal Executive Council.
Even as cabinet Minister of the Federal Government,it was shrouded in controversy as Junior Minister’s that served under Ngige were reportedly counting their woes as colleagues in the same Ministry, for fear of the unknown as a cabinet Minister in Labour and Productivity suddenly died while in office.
Soon after his death, the Ministry was left for Ngige and his cohorts to ventilate their prowess for many months,even after appointements,it took many months to be sworn into office.
While in office, overshadowed by the activities of Senator Chris Ngige and the fear of the unknown, precluded the successor from perfomance from the records.
He combines so many ulterior activities and political gymnastics to frustrate laudable programs in goverrment activities in the last five years.
Little did we know when he bribed his way to return as Minister in the same Labour and Productivity Ministry to enable him wield more extra- ordinary powers against some juicy agencies like NSITF and Trust Fund.
Five years in the Ministry,it had been one step forward and many steps backward,as Chief Chris Ngige against the Presidency ratifying the appointment of Chief Frank Kokori as NSITF board Chairman,refused blatantly to inaugurate the then new board for more than a year,only to seek the replacement of one time robust labour leader with his stooges,who he had pocketed as the new Board Chairman.
Not comfortable with the constitution of the new management in the last few years and had been at logger head over contracts,supplies, promotion and appointements,as well as employment,he had engaged in all unwarranted moves to stir the hornets nest,so as to show the Management the way out service, which he had succesfully carried out.
This is different from the obvious facts that he had in the last five years, populated the NSITF with top high ranking staffs, predominantly from the Eastern Geo political zone, and particualrly from Anambara state with all his cronies and political apologists .
Chief Ngige’s ploy on return as the second term Minister was to take charge of both Board and Management of the high profile revenue generating organisation, likened to the FIRS.
For many occasions the Minister insists getting series of kickbacks for statutory top Management and Board programs like retreat,seminars and symposia and other relevancies that will improve the revenue profile of the agency.
Apart from budget padding and manipulation of the Minister in the agency in the last five years,the obvious resistance of the management carefully selected by the Presidency is being frustrated by all sorts of subtle and direct affront by the Minister, few years after it’s inauguration.
It is on record that on so many occasions labour unions in the organisation under his Ministry made efforts through both subtle and confrontation to resist his maladministration, particualrly on the Board inauguration and composition at the Presidential Villa,Abuja.
All this obvious maladministration by Senator Chris Ngige was responsible for lack of innovations,obvious lapses towards the smooth administration of NSITF in the last five years.
It is high time the Federal government swing into action to resist the continuous personal vendatta been hawked by the current Minister ,Chris Ngige in the Labour and Productivity Ministry to avoid policy somersaults.
A stiche in time,saves nine.
Editorial Note From Observers Times