The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige has said he is too busy serving the nation at the national level to consider a shot at the 2021 Anambra State governorship election .

Ngige who spoke to reporters in his country home in Alor, in Idemili Local Government Area , of the state on Sunday said although he had the right to contest, he was too busy with his national assignment as a minister to start eyeing “ a provincial job .”

He spoke after presenting cash and food items , totaling N15m as COVID – 19 palliatives to some vulnerable persons in the area .

Ngige said , “ Whether you ’re a member of APC or PDP , APGA , Accord, APA , PPP , once you are vulnerable, you get. We started with my town. We will fan out to my local government, then to my entire senatorial district . We also intend to reach out to the church . If we don’ t do it and COVID – 19 kills all of us, what then will my foundation do ?

“ Yes , there have been speculations that I am eyeing the governorship of Anambra State . They have written about it in a lot of media . I am a politician.

They have the right to speculate on my next move. My next move is very vast .

“ Elections will come in 2023, I have a right to vie for any position. I can vie for Senate. I can vie for President if I so wish . Election will be coming in Anambra State, latest November 2021 to elect a successor to Obiano . I am not disqualified. I have a right to say I can run.

“ I don ’t have interest for now in Anambra governorship because I am on a national assignment.

“ Our government has decided to enlarge the list of conditional cash transfer to bring more people. Some private individuals have made their own contribution running into billions . Government is sharing their own money and its own food to these people. It is still not enough . Individuals and organisations that can assist were beckoned on to assist. So , what my foundation is doing is part of the assistance . ”

The minister said the President , Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd .), has done well for Nigeria especially the South East withing the last five years. He listed work on the Second Niger Bridge , stretches of Enugu- Onitsha and Enugu – Port Harcourt highways and the Akanu Ibiam Airport as some of them .

Speaking on the lingering strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Ngige described the union’s action as laughable, stating that the leadership of the union was deceiving its members.Punch