Former Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, and former Governor of old Abia State, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu said he has not at any time endorsed the Labour Party and its presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi for the 2023 election contrary to media reports.
Onu, contested in the presidential primary of the All Progressive Congress (APC) which produced Bola Tinubu as the party’s flag bearer.
In a statement on Wednesday, Onu said his loyalties remain with the ruling party, thus, all reports of his involvement in any form of anti-party activity should be disregarded.
He said the claims he endorsed another party, are “mischievous, wicked and unfortunate.”
Below is the full statement as personally signed by Mr Onu.
“Early this morning, many national newspapers carried the story of the endorsement of the Labour Party Presidential Candidate by one Dr. SKC Ogbonnia, who was reported to have contested for the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Primaries in 2019.
“A few minutes ago, someone drew my attention to an article in circulation of that same story but captioned with my name, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, instead of the name of the person who had issued and signed the statement.
“Dr. SKC Ogbonnia is a completely different person from Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu. My surname is Onu and not Ogbonnia. My other name is Ogbonnaya and not Ogbonnia. The initials SKC are not mine. I never contested for the Presidential Primaries of the APC in 2019.
“In my long political carrier, I have never changed my political party. I have also never been involved in any anti-party activity. It is also important to remember that I served meritoriously as the National Chairman of defunct All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP), that for a long time, was the largest opposition political party in the country.
“I therefore request that the general public should make the distinction between Dr. SKC Ogbonnia and Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu.
“The attempt to copy the statement made by Dr. SKC Ogbonnia and put my name as the caption is mischievous, wicked and unfortunate.
We need a high level of civility in the conduct of politics in our dear nation.”
Ifunanya Ikueze is an Engineer, Safety Professional, Writer, Investor, Entrepreneur and Educator.
