Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr. Chris Ngige, yesterday said that there will be no automatic ticket for anybody coming to contest the senatorial seat of Anambra Central under the umbrella of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He made the statement at his country home in Alor, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, during the condolence visit by members of the executive of the Correspondents’ Chapel in the state led by its chairman, Mr. Emmanuel Ndukuba.

News Express reports that Ngige’s father passed on late last year at the age of 102 and will be buried in two weeks time.

According to Ngige, “I am not contesting hence there should be a replacement but there won’t be automatic ticket for anybody in APC. The party has decided to conduct primaries for interested candidates and whoever wins will fly the flag of APC for the cancelled election.

“The party chose to conduct fresh primaries to give everybody a sense of belonging. So far, about three people have indicated interest.”

On the entrance of Hon. Uche Ekwunife to APC, the minister said that in politics, people are free to align with any party they deem fit when they are no longer comfortable where they are, adding that Ekwunife, who was his opponent during the 2015 senatorial election, was welcome to the party.

“The party is large enough to accommodate anybody and we don’t discriminate. She has spoken with me and she has also met with party leaders in Abuja but i don’t know if she has visited the wards yet. She is welcome,” Ngige said.

The news of Ekwunife’s defection to APC went viral on Friday though she formally declared for APC yesterday in Awka, citing the foot dragging style of the PDP at conducting primaries as the reason for her defection.

But, in his reaction, the State Chairman of PDP, Prince Ken Emeakayi, said that Ekwunife still remain a member of the PDP as he is yet to be formally notified of her move.

•Photo shows Dr. Ngige.