I Was Removed as Governor for Refusing to Make Chris Uba My Deputy – Ngige

Former Anambra State Governor, Senator Chris Ngige, has claimed that his refusal to appoint political heavyweight Chris Uba as his deputy governor was the major reason behind his removal from office in 2006. Ngige, who also served as Minister of Labour and Employment under the Buhari administration, made the allegation during a recent interview in Abuja.

Ngige asserted that his ouster was the result of political pressure from powerbrokers who attempted to impose their terms on his administration. He said a meeting was arranged by the late Senator Ibrahim Mantu, who delivered conditions allegedly from influential figures seeking control over Anambra State. Among these conditions was a demand that Ngige make Chris Uba his deputy—an offer he firmly rejected.

According to Ngige, accepting Uba would have endangered his life and caused unrest among the people of Anambra. “If I made him deputy governor, he would have immunity and could walk into my office and shoot me. If he shot me, nothing would happen,” Ngige said. He added that public backlash would have been swift and severe, citing incidents of widespread destruction that occurred during the political crisis in the state, including the burning of the House of Assembly, the governor’s office, the state broadcasting service, and other public institutions.

He recounted that those responsible for the violence even appeared on national television, declaring they had taken over the state and warning him not to return. “You can take my seat. No problem. God is in charge,” Ngige recalled telling his opponents, adding that he accepted the situation as part of a divine plan.

Ngige, a devout Catholic, said he had no regrets about the events that led to his removal. “I’m happy with all that transpired because that is how God willed it,” he said. He noted that he declined to challenge the court ruling that removed him from office in order to avoid further turmoil in the state. “I wasn’t born a governor. I was born Nwabueze Ngige, son of a carpenter,” he said.

Speaking on his security strategy during his tenure, Ngige revealed that he employed individuals previously known for criminal activity in a bid to maintain law and order. He said his administration sought out “bad boys” through local communities and gave them jobs under a formal vigilante program passed by the Anambra State House of Assembly in 2003.

“We brought the bad boys and said, look, you people are bad boys, look at the list. Any false movement, you are dead. But you owe us a duty to show us other bad boys,” he said. The program, according to Ngige, provided those employed with a monthly salary of ₦30,000, food twice a day, transportation, and phone airtime. He stated that this initiative was funded through security votes and helped significantly in securing the state.

Ngige criticized how some governors handle security funds, describing security votes as being misused. “Many governors and Chief Executives of states think security money is pocket money. No,” he said. He credited his administration’s unconventional strategy with successfully combating crime and maintaining order during a turbulent period in Anambra’s history.

Though currently on sabbatical from active politics, Ngige confirmed he remains a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC).