Dr. Chris Ngige, former Minister of Labour and Employment, has cautioned Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the Anambra State governorship election, against using his name and image for campaign purpose.
Special Assistant on Media to Ngige, Mr Hyggy Obialo, in a statement disclaimed a poster circulating online featuring Ngige’s photo alongside Ukachukwu and his running mate, Senator Uche Ekwunife.
He emphasised that Ngige has taken a sabbatical from active partisan politics and wishes to distance himself from any candidate.
Mr. Obialo clarified that Ngige’s consent was not sought or obtained before the poster was disseminated to the public.
As a former Governor of Anambra State, Senator, and two-term Minister of Labour and Employment, Ngige is a respected elder statesman in Anambra State.
The former minister advised those behind the poster to respect his wishes and discontinue using his image for campaign purposes.
The development highlighted the importance of obtaining consent before using someone’s image or endorsement in political campaigns.
”We want to use this medium to inform the general public that neither the consent nor approval of our principal was sought and/or obtained, respectively, before the said publication was disseminated to the general public.
“Our attention was been drawn to the online poster in circulation with the photograph of our principal, His Excellency, Senator Chris Nwabueze Ngige, MD, OON, CON, Onwa-na-etiliora, featuring together with the Anambra State APC Governorship candidate, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu and his deputy, Senator Uche Ekwunife.
“We, therefore, advise the perpetrators to respect the wishes of our principal, who has indicated in many fora that he is out of partisan politics for now.
“We further wish to inform the general public, that Chris Ngige is on sabbatical from active partisan politics for now as he is taking his well-deserved rest after 25 years of active partisan politics and public service” the statement said.
Ngige, a former Governor of Anambra State (2003-2006), former Senator who represented Anambra State Central Senatorial District in the 7th Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (2011 – 2015), is also a two term Honorable Minister of Labour and Employment(2015 -2023).
