The Interview Editors
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, on Wednesday ridiculed a member of House of Representatives, James Faleke, saying Faleke is a “small boy”.
Ngige has reportedly suspended top management and executive committee members of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), though the presidential directive bars ministers from sacking heads of agencies.
Appearing before the Adhoc Committee of the House of Representatives over an alleged breach of a presidential directive, Ngige called Faleke “a small boy” and said he was mate with “Tinubu, Faleke’s political mentor.
He said, “I am at least seven years older than you. I’m sure. I am the same age as your mentor in Lagos, Asiwaju (Bola Ahmed Tinubu). And I was Governor with him at the same time. He was a Senator, I was a Senator. I am a two-time Minister, he isn’t a two-time Minister.”
Faleke cuts in, mocking Ngige for his past electoral failure. He said “But he won all his elections very well.”
Ngige fired back and reminded Faleke of how the Supreme Court decision cost Faleke his chance to be Kogi State’s governor, adding that Faleke was a “small Mushin boy”.
“No problem about that. Just like you won your own in Kogi State very well and you are now both the Governor and Deputy Governor.
“If you yab me, I yab you. I’m a Lagos boy. You are just a small boy in Lagos. Look at this Mushin boy, talking to a Victoria Island boy. I live in Victoria Island.”
