All Progressives Congress (APC) aspirant in the November 8 Anambra State governorship, Prof. Obiora Okonwko, has said he is on a rescue mission to salvage the state from being plunged further into the abyss.
He spoke yesterday at the APC Secretariat in Abuja after collecting the N50 million nomination and expression of interest forms.
The forms were bought for him by a group under the aegis of Anambra Coalition for Progressive Change.
The Chairman of the United Nigeria Airlines Company Limited declared himself as a frontline runner in the off-season poll.
“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,” he said
Okonwko who said since he declared his intention to contest the governorship, the incumbent Governor Charles Soludo is afraid of his aspiration, because according him, “he (Soludo) knows I am the candidate to beat.”
He alleged that the governor has embarked on series of moves to stop him from picking the APC governorship ticket.
Elated by the gesture of the coalition in purchasing the nomination forms, Okonwko appreciated the group and promised not to disappoint them, the party and the people of the state, if he wins the November election.
He said: “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 made 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.”
Okonkwo said he was impressed by their gesture which he noted was an affirmation of their confidence in his capacity to govern the state.
“We are aware of the huge amount being thrown around to ensure that I don’t get the ticket. He (Soludo) 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.
