Chris Ngige Reveals Midnight Journey to Notorious Okija Shrine During Governorship Bid
Former Anambra Governor Breaks Silence on Controversial Oath-Taking Ritual
Awka, Nigeria – In a startling revelation that sheds light on Nigeria’s often murky political underbelly, former Anambra State governor and ex-Labour Minister Chris Ngige has disclosed how he was forcibly taken to the infamous Okija shrine to swear an oath of loyalty during his 2003 governorship campaign.
The Midnight Journey to Okija
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Vanguard newspaper, the seasoned politician described being whisked away under cover of darkness just days before the election. “I was taken to Okija shrine by force,” Ngige revealed. “By midnight, I didn’t know where we were going.”
The shrine, located in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, had gained notoriety as a place where politicians and businessmen allegedly went to swear binding oaths. Ngige’s admission confirms long-standing rumors about the role of traditional rituals in Nigerian politics.
“They said we must go there to swear an oath of loyalty. Of course, I know that those shrines and those small deities don’t work. God Almighty is above all of them. So I went with my Bible and holy water.”
A Proxy Oath and Subsequent Crackdown
Ngige recounted how upon seeing the shrine’s rituals, one of his associates volunteered to take the oath on his behalf. “When we got there and I looked at what they were doing, one of them now opted to go and swear for me. I said, fine and he did.”
The former governor would later order the shrine’s demolition in 2004 after security reports exposed alleged criminal activities there. The police raid, authorized by then-President Olusegun Obasanjo, uncovered dozens of corpses and led to the arrest of over 40 shrine attendants.
Political Implications and Aftermath
Ngige’s governorship, which began in 2003 under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), was cut short in 2006 when he was removed from office. The politician has previously attributed his ouster to his refusal to bow to certain political pressures, including demands to appoint a particular deputy governor.
The Okija shrine incident raises important questions about the intersection of traditional beliefs and modern governance in Nigeria. While many politicians publicly distance themselves from such practices, Ngige’s account suggests they remain an unspoken reality in the country’s political landscape.
Ngige’s Political Journey
After his tenure as governor, Ngige went on to serve as:
- Senator for Anambra Central (2011-2015)
- Minister of Labour and Employment (2015-2023)
- Presidential aspirant in 2022 (later withdrew)
His revelation about the Okija shrine comes years after the controversial incident, suggesting a willingness to confront Nigeria’s political realities with newfound candor.
The Lingering Shadow of Okija
The 2004 police raid on the shrine brought international attention to the site, with reports of over 70 corpses and human skulls discovered. While the main shrine was demolished, Ngige acknowledged that smaller shrines still operate in the area, though with diminished influence.
“It’s now that people have forsaken those things,” he observed, “having noted that it was being operated by a swindling gang.”
This disclosure provides rare insight into the complex dynamics of power, tradition, and governance in Nigeria, where modern politics often intersects with deeply rooted cultural practices.
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