All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Anambra governorship election, Nicholas Ukachukwu, has said there will be a no trade-off in the off-season election.
Ukachukwu made the remarks at the party national secretariat shortly after collecting his Certificate of Return from his party national chairman, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.
Ukachukwu’s outburst was on the heels of speculation that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has sealed a deal with incumbent governor and All Progressives Grand Alliance candidate, Charles Soludo to secure victory for the latter while Soludo would work for Tinubu in next general elections.
Ukachukwu maintained that Tinubu was a loyal party man and would not ditch him to secure victory for an opposition candidate.
While appealing to APC faithful to disregard the speculation, Ukachukwu accused the Anambra State governor as the mastermind.
He said: “If APGA is sellable without the centre, why are they relying on the centre? This is the first time Soludo is bringing himself for election as a person. We will determine whether he is popular or not. Tinubu is a party man. He can’t fall and won’t fall. Why will Tinubu support him? Why go to beg when you can have it?”
He also thanked President Tinubu for sticking to his promise not to interfere in the process but ensure a credible, transparent primary.
“We are ready for the battle. Let me thank Tinubu for upholding the democratic principles of free, fair process. He has shown it in Anambra state; he has spoken very loudly and we heard him clearly.
“I also want to thank the National chairman and his Working Committee for giving us support and not allowing Anambra.”
The APC candidate appealed to his colleagues who lost out in the race for the ticket to give him their support ahead of the race.
“There is no loser in this election, we are all winners.”
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