Members of the Coalition for Progressive Change on Wednesday purchased the N50m nomination and expression of interest forms for an aspirant of the All Progressives Congress and Chairman of United Nigeria Airlines, Prof Obiora Okonkwo.

Members of the coalition, which comprises lecturers, traders, activists and other professionals, picked up the forms at the APC national secretariat in Abuja.

Addressing journalists shortly after the presentation of the forms, the leader of the delegation, Chief Cyril Ezeani, said they are more than convinced the Anambra billionaire is the right man to replace Soludo.

He said, “Anambra is being ruled by people who don’t have business in governance. Soludo has not given us what we want in Anambra. He has also not provided security for the Anambra people. This is why we feel Prof Okonkwo is the right person to occupy the position of governor.

“Some people come to contest the election because they look at governance as a cash cow. But Prof is not like that. He is a founding member of the ACN and a strong member of the APC. That is why we are officially presenting him with the N10m nomination and N40m expression of interest forms.

“These forms cost us N50m overall. But we know you deserve it, and by the grace of God, you will become our next governor.”

A visiting senior lecturer in the Department of Medical Lab Sciences, Veritas University, Dr Christy Frederick, also applauded the APC aspirant, saying any leader ‘who does not carry women along’ cannot do well in governance.

According to her, Okonkwo is the solution to Anambra’s economic and insecurity challenges.

“When you want to deal with a problem, you must know what it is. There is a need to diagnose before you treat. We believe Prof Obiora Okonkwo is the right man to become the next governor of Anambra State.

“He has the technical know-how and what it takes to make us proud. Sir, on behalf of our coalition, I want to say you merited these APC forms we bought. That is why we earnestly want you to come on board,” she explained.

While appreciating the gesture, Okonkwo said he was elated with the ‘gift.’

The politician also promised not to betray their trust.

He said, “I cannot ordinarily say I didn’t expect this. Knowing that I am not on this journey alone makes me proud. There are still a whole lot of people who know that what is happening in Anambra today is not the way to go. We are talking about the issue of insecurity and near-zero economic activities.

“I am encouraged. If there is any doubt I have had before now, your action today has put an end to it. To my APC family, I have picked the forms, and I am prepared for the battle ahead. We may not have control over the ticket. But the only thing we know is that with the ticket in my hand, I will give a landslide victory to the APC.

“I am from the Central Senatorial zone of Anambra, which has seven local government areas and is home to over 60 per cent of votes in the state. Those votes are domiciled in Idemili North, and I am from Idemili North. The votes are guaranteed. We are guaranteed to win at least 15 (out of 21) LGAs in this election.”