The Minister of Science Technology and Innovations, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, has formally declared to contest for the presidential ticket of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2023 presidency.
Onu’s declaration swells the number of presidential aspirants, including ministers, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, APC National leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and some state governors among others.
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While formally declaring on Friday in Abuja, Onu also a former governor of old Abia State said Nigeria can no longer look to foreign countries for its salvation.
According to him, the fact that Nigeria has the key to unlocking its own prosperity, is enough for the citizens and his party to elect him as Nigeria’s next ‘Chief Servant.
He recalled his days as governor of Abia State, when the state provided free treatment in public hospitals and also tackled insecurity and others sectors.
“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 childbirth, 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.
“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 the knowledge economy driven by Science Technology and Innovations (STIs) 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,” Onu said.
He also said that this is so, because no nation has ever become truly great, whether in ancient or modern times, without the efficient and effective deployment of STI to nation-building.
He said, “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.”
Daily Trust reports that over a dozen aspirants have openly expressed their intentions to contest the 2023 presidential election on the platform of the party.
They include Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; National Leader of the APC, Senator Bola Tinubu; Minister of Transportation, Hon. Rotimi Amaechi; Ebonyi State Governor, Mr. Dave Umahi; former governor of Imo State, Senator Rochas Okorocha; Governor of Kogi State, Mr. Yahaya Bello; and Minister of State for Education, Mr. Emeka Nwajiuba.
Others are former President of the Senate, Ken Nnamani; Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, Cross River State Governor, Prof. Ben Ayade; former Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun; Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; and Pastor Tunde Bakare, the founder of Citadel Global Community Church (formerly Latter Rain Assembly) who was a running mate to President Muhammadu Buhari in 2011 under the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC).
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