Ogbonnaya Onu initially rejected the proposal to contest the APC presidential ticket on the grounds that he lacked the N100 million to purchase the nomination form, and has no political structures upon which he could ride to power.
By Ishaya Ibrahim, News Editor
Minister of Science and Technology, Ogbonnaya Onu, has joined the long list of aspirants seeking the All Progressives Congress presidential ticket.
TheNiche learnt that a cabal in Aso Rock has been in talks with the former Abia State Governor on the need for him to join the APC presidential race, a move he initially rejected because he lacked the N100 million to purchase the nomination form, and has no political structures upon which he could ride to power.
The cabal with membership comprising Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika and President Muhammadu Buhari’s nephew, Mamman Daura, told Ogbonnaya Onu to leave those challenges for them. Onu reluctantly agreed, knowing that the same cabal has been behind the declaration of the many aspirants who have thrown their hats in the ring for the APC presidential ticket.
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But at his declaration today at the Nicon Luxury Hotels in Abuja, Ogbonnaya Onu said he deliberately delayed his announcement to contest for the APC presidential ticket to allow Nigerians return from the festivities considering the importance of his ambition.
The former Abia State Governor described himself as a “man of great compassion”, adding that under him the state provided free treatment in public hospitals.
Apart from the health sector, the minister said Abia witnessed development across all sectors of the state.
“As a man of great compassion, and also believing that women are great builders of nations, I did not want any pregnant woman or child to die either during pregnancy or child birth, which are the most challenging periods in any woman’s life, just because the woman cannot afford to pay hospital bills. Hence, all pregnant women received free treatment in public hospitals,” the presidential hopeful said.
“I want all Nigerians, particularly the youth to know that Nigeria has a bright future. Let there be nothing that can make any Nigerian lose hope about the future of Nigeria.
“The Almighty God that created us, gave our dear nation, everything that she needs to be a leader in the world. Working together, we will make use of knowledge economy driven by STI to make Nigeria truly great.
“My fellow Nigerians, we have the key to unlock the prosperity of our dear nation, and this key is a knowledge economy driven by science, technology and innovation.
“This is so, because no nation has ever become truly great, whether in ancient or modern times, without the efficient and effective deployment of science, technology and innovation to nation building. I am convinced that I have the knowledge, the experience, the credibility, the education having been trained in one of the best universities in the world, the vision, the integrity, maturity and a man who can be trusted.
“I most respectfully ask my political party, the APC, to elect me as its presidential candidate, and the people of Nigeria to elect me as the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, for me to be the chief servant of the nation.”