There was drama at the Nigerian Television
Authority complex, Onitsha, on Thursday when
arch-rivals in the Anambra Central senatorial
election, Dr. Chris Ngige and Prof. Dora Akunyili, ran
into each other.

What would have been a clash was averted by the
general manager of the station, Mr. Emeka Obinwa,
who stopped the two candidates from meeting in
his toilet.

Ngige, a former governor of the state, is the
candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria, while
Akunyili, a former Minister of Information and
Communications, is the candidate of the All
Progressives Grand Alliance.

Ngige was due to be the guest of the station in a
live programme, Crossfire, but due to his
commitments in the field, he could not meet the 12
noon appointment.

He requested that the time be shifted for him till
later in the day.

Meanwhile, Akunyili had been scheduled for 6 pm
on the same programme.

When all hope had been lost that Ngige would
make it, he suddenly arrived at the station at about
5.30 pm.

He blamed gastro enteritis for his failure to meet his
appointment and asked to be shown the rest room.

A few minutes later, Akunyili arrived at the
manager’s office tired and exhausted.

Before the manager could offer her a seat, she
made straight for the rest room, where Ngige was
already easing himself.

But Obinwa had to stop her, saying there was
someone in the room. She then went back to sit on
the sofa in the manager’s office.

Anxious about how the two candidates would see
each other, everyone in the office waited to witness
their encounter.

However, Ngige stepped out into an open embrace
from Akunyili, who repeatedly hailed him, “Onwa!” Ngige’s praise name.

Akunyili did not waste time to tell Ngige, “If it is not me, it is you,” meaning that it was not a do-or-die affair between her and Ngige.

They later engaged in a friendly discussion that
lasted several minutes with more embraces before
Ngige left after securing another appointment for
the programme.

www.punchontheweb.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201104081361187

This how the game of politics ought to be played. It shouldn't be a violent do-or-die affair.

I'm impressed with Akunyili and Ngige.

@Op. Na wa for u sef. Do u think they would have fought each other?

In anambra south pdp, its all slaps and counter slap

Blackteeth:

@Op. Na wa for u sef. Do u think they would have fought each other?

Anything can happen in Nigeria at this time o.
But, maturity is the name of the political game worldwide.

Blackteeth:

@Op. Na wa for u sef. Do u think they would have fought each other?

In a country characterized by political violence, the two might exchange words, and before you know it, their supporters would cause a breakdown in law and order.

This is how we Igbos do politics. With mutual respect. Politics is not a do or die affair.

It would have been a different case if a PDP member was involved