Anambra guber: Soludo spending much to deny me APC ticket – Okonkwo

Chairman of the United Nigeria Airlines Company Limited, Prof Obioro Okonkwo, has expressed confidence of emerging as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming governorship primary election in Anambra State.

The governorship aspirant also accused governor Charles Soludo of spending so much in Abuja to prevent him from flying the ticket of the APC against him, adding that “he knows I am the candidate to beat.”

Speaking Wednesday in Abuja when an APC group on the platform of Anambra Coalition for Progressives Change (ACPC) presented to him Nomination and Expression of Interest forms bought for him to contest the forthcoming primary election, Okonkwo declared that his antecedents in politics would come handy and sway victory for him.

“You have just presented to me a great gift of N50 million. As you can see, I am full of smiles. I would have said, I wasn’t expecting this but knowing that I am not in this race alone, there are a lot of people who have mind up their minds that whatever is happening in Anambra State isn’t the way to go, particularly with the issue of insecurity.

“I am encouraged. If there is any doubt, I now know these people are going to match their words with action. They are beside me. With what you have done today, you are those who are beside me. I thank you very much for what you have done. Where this fund came, may God replenish you.

“For those who haven’t joined this coalition, this is a wake up call. We will do justice to rescue Anambra from a man who knows all, who takes no advice.”

While appreciating the coalition led by Chief Cyril Ndubuisi Ezeani, Prof. Okonkwo said he was impressed by their gesture which he noted was an affirmation of their confidence in his capacity to govern the south east state.

“We are aware of the huge amount being thrown around to ensure that I don’t get the ticket. He knows he can’t square up with me on election day. I have picked the form, I am prepared for the battle.

“To all traditional institutions, religious leaders, the time is now. We may not have the control of having the ticket but we know that with the ticket in our hands, we will secure landslide victory for APC.

“I am from Anambra Central, the votes are domiciled in Ndemili North I am leader of Ndemili North and South. So, the votes are guaranteed.”

While recalling that in the last general elections, Tinubu scored the highest votes in Ndemili North and South, Okonkwo said: “I am from the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria and I led the campaign that produced Dr Chris Ngige as Senator. I led the same campaign that produced 6 house of assembly members in Anambra. I am back to produce the first APC Governor in Anambra.

“Going to this election, we already have 7 local councils. We will partner with Anambra South and North to deliver Anambra for APC.”

Speaking with newsmen earlier, leader of the Anambra Coalition, Chief Ezeani said they mobilized fund to buy the form because they believe in Professor Okonkwo capacity to change the governance narrative in the state.

“We took the decision to buy the form. Anambra is always first. We need an individual that has the track record, the pedigree to develop our state. We have settled for Chief Okonkwo.

“We know that he is a very comfortable person. We know he can buy the form but we are persuading him, to encourage him. We bought the form to show our seriousness. This is just a step, many other activities will follow before the primary and we are sure that he will win.”