8 things to know about Chris Ngige

READ: Full list of Ministerial nominees and their states of Origin

One of the nominees getting the bigger share of the reactions is Chris Ngige of Anambra State. Here are a few things you should know about him:

1. Chris Ngige is a Medical Doctor by Profession: In fact, immediately after graduating from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka in 1979, he joined the civil service and retired in 1998 as a Deputy Director in the Federal Ministry of Health.

2. He is a founding member of the PDP: Thereafter, Ngige turned to politics, becoming a founding member of the People's Democratic Party (PDP).

He became the Assistant National Secretary and Zonal Secretary of PDP in the South East region of the country in 1999.

3. He was elected Governor of Anambra State in 2003: Ngige actually wanted to be a Senator, but by virtue of a strong political backing, he won the governorship seat.

A few months later on the 10th of July, there was a failed attempt to remove him from office through a fabricated letter of resignation which the state assembly accepted. Following the incident, he broke ties with his political godfather, Chris Uba.

4. His victory was nullified in 2005: In August 2005, an election Tribunal led by Justice Nabaruma nullified Ngige's 2003 victory.

He appealed to the Nigerian Federal Court of Appeal, but the annulment was confirmed on 15 March 2006, in a judgment awarding victory to Peter Obi of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). Obi was sworn in two days later.

5. He tried to run for the governorship again: Ngige's successor, Peter Obi, was impeached in less than nine months.

Ngige attempted to participate in state governorship elections in April 2007, but was his ambition was hindered by a controversial federal 'disqualification', even after a Federal High Court had voided the disqualification.

Peter Obi's impeachment was later overturned, and he served out his four year

6. He received strong criticism for visiting the Okija shrine: Ngige was accused some years ago of swearing a secret oath of allegiance at the Okija Shrine at the prompting of his estranged godfather, Chief Chris Uba, before becoming governor in 2003, denied actually taking the oath.

He said told The Guardian at the time:

“I went to Okija Shrine with my Bible and refused to take any oath. Take oath for who and what? It is rubbish and absolute nonsense. Satan took Jesus to mountain for trial, but at the end Jesus triumphed over him”.

7. He tried to become Governor once more: On February 6, 2010, Ngige again contested for the governorship of Anambra State. Other notable politicians who contested with him included Andy Uba, Charles Soludo, Nicholas Ukachukwu, Mrs. Uche Ekwunife, Ralph Nwosu, and the incumbent governor, Peter Obi. In all, there were 25 candidates for that election. Ngige lost to Peter Obi who started his second term as the governor of Anambra State.

8. He won a senatorial seat: Ngige ran for election for Senator of Anambra Central, on the now defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) platform in April 2011. He was declared the winner over former Minister of Information and Communications Professor Dora Akunyili of the APGA, with 69,765 votes to Akunyili's 69,292.

He eventually lost to PDP's Hon. Uche Ekwunife in the March 2015 elections.