‘Buhari not relegating Ndigbo’

Mimister of Labour, Dr. Chris Ngige, yesterday dismissed a statement credited to Ohanaeze Ndigbo that President Muhammadu Buhari was promoting politics of exclusionism against the southeast.

He also disagreed with those asking the President to rejig his economic team due to their alleged inability to steer the country out of the current economic crisis.

According to the minister, those spearheading the calls were “job seekers who were not favoured in ministerial appointments.”

Ngige, who spoke at the annual convention and 2016 graduation ceremony of Skill Acquisition Students of Bina Foundation, funded by Sir Chris Atuegwu and his wife, Lady Ifeoma, said Buhari’s antecedents showed that he loves Ndigbo.

He cautioned the ethnic group against engaging in politics of alienation, urging it to embrace other parts of the country.

“I am sure the statement did not emanate from Ohanaeze. It is the personal opinion of the Secretary General, Dr. Joe Nwaorgu, my personal friend. Ohanaeze has a means of expressing its views in a press statement by the President General and such a statement must emanate from Imeobi (inner caucus).

“When you go through Buhari’s antecedents, you see his love for Igbos. His Brigade Commander was an Igboman. After the war, he did not kill prisoners of war (POWs). He brought back his classmates, J.C. Ojukwu and the other man from Ojoto in Anambra State. He is a good man. He keeps to himself. He is disciplined in office,” he remarked.