CHRIS NIGIGE, PETER OBI BURY THE HATCHET
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, has put aside his differences and undue rivalry with former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, and embraced peace. The minister was at the traditional wedding of Amaka Peter Obi and her beau, Chukwuma Okeke- Ojiudu. The event took place on Sunday, April 17, 2002 at Golden Tulip Hotel, Agulu, Anambra State. Ngige was sighted at the event hand-in-hand with Obi, who is also a presidential candidate of Peoples Democratic Party.
Before now, Ngige and Obi had a cat and dog relationship, which dates back to 2003 when the two contested for governorship election in Anambra State, though under two different parties. Obi contested as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance in 2003, while
Ngige was his opponent under the platform of Peoples Democratic Party during the keenly contested poll. Ngige was declared winner of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission, but his opponent, Peter Obi wasn't comfortable with the outcome of the election which he promised to challenge. He headed straight to court to challenge the result, which dragged on for almost three years. After nearly three years of litigation, Nigige's victory was overturned by the court of appeal in Enugu State. And his opponent, Obi was reinstated as the governor of Anambra State by the Supreme Court in Enugu State in 2007. The outcome created rivalry between the two political bigwigs and Ngige would constantly attack Obi. He questioned his achievement as the governor of the state and his leadership qualities. He criticised all the good works of his successor and faulted them while calling them trash. He compared the infrastructure he provided during his brief stay as the governor of the state to that of Obi, an act many labeled as revenge and jealousy for occupying his former political position.
The two went as far as exchanging words on the pages of newspapers and were political enemies for some years. However, they met in 2019 when PDP challenged President Muhammadu Buhari's victory at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT) in Abuja. They both hugged and exchanged pleasantries which many believe was the end of their hostility. However, a few months after that, the two resumed their enmity again and even descended so low to exchanging words. A few years later, Ngige decided to put the past behind him and attend Obi's event. Those who witnessed the wedding were surprised to see the sworn enemies holding hands and laughing excitedly at the event. They also hoped and prayed that the two would not resume their hostility anytime soon as the presidential campaign and elections are fast approaching.