Minister of Labour and Employment Senator Chris Ngige yesterday escaped being lynched by angry mob during the meeting of Anambra State All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders.
The rowdy session at Finotel Hotel in Awka witnessed heavy shootings by thugs and security men, who thronged the arena.
However, it was security operatives who herded the former governor away.
The APC leaders accused the minister of plotting to hijack materials for the ward congress, which did not take place in the state on Saturday.
The party’s candidate in the 2017 governorship election, Dr. Tony Nwoye, alongside others had accused Ngige of plot to hijack the party.
Nwoye told Ngige that he was usurping the functions of the congress committee by stating that ward congresses were held on Saturday, when it did not.
The former governorship candidate said he was refraining from speaking because he might be accused of being bitter because he ran and lost election on the party’s platform.
According to him, “Some of you here worked against me during that election. But my joy is that I lost the election and they lost too, because they have not risen themselves.
“We have failed as a party because we do not have any position in Anambra. But it will not work for people to put this party in their pocket so that they can write election results in their houses.
“I will not let Ngige take the function of the panel. We have a panel that is supposed to conduct that congress and they just came here today (yesterday).
“Whereas you are trying to tell us that elections have been held yesterday, how can Ngige be the one to conduct the congress when there is a committee?
“As at 7pm on Saturday, people were being denied the forms because they want to contest for positions and what that means is that the forms have been given out to those they like. We will not let that happen.”
Ngige, who took offence over what he described as personal attack from Nwoye, explained that there was no trouble in the party.
Ngige said: “We do not have trouble here and we are here to further the cause of the party.
“People were querying the guideline given by the NEC of the party, and I said no. The issue was over zoning of position.
“We said go to the ward and if anyone resigns, we replace him, because this is a brotherly contest.”
As at the time of filing this report, the meeting venue was rowdy and security men were shooting in the air to stop attacks on dignitaries.
The meeting, which was earlier scheduled for 12noon, was shifted to 4pm, yet it did not take off as planned.
Apart from Senate Andy Uba and Senator Uche Ekwunife, who were absent during the meeting, other chieftains attended the meeting.
They included former governorship aspirants, Chiefs George Muoghalu, Johnbosco Onunkwo, and others