Leaders of political parties and the people of Anambra North, on Saturday, April 13, 2024, pledged their unwavering support for Mr. Valentine Ozigbo ahead of the 2025 Anambra Governorship election.
The well-attended interactive session held at Onitsha, presented Mr. Ozigbo with a glaring moment to appreciate the unalloyed support of the good people of Anambra North towards Mr. Peter Obi’s Presidential movement and success regardless of the eventual outcome.
In his opening remark to the large audience, Ozigbo expressed gratitude to the stakeholders and people of Anambra North. He said: “I’m glad and consider it a great privilege being here in your midst today to strategize on how to make Anambra State work again through us.
“To achieve this, my demonstrable competence, leadership qualities, and proven records in corporate and philanthropic endeavours especially in important sectors like economy, power, education, agriculture, tourism and hospitality, etc, will help in this transformation quest. Anambra under me as Governor will be repositioned and transformed to an enviable height.
“My leadership as an experienced global business leader will attract notable illustrious sons of Anambra and the business titans back to the State, to invest and create opportunities for our people. To achieve this, making Anambra secure and safer is not only an important and urgent priority, but a task that must be done.
“God blessed me with the gift of emotional intelligence, which will come handy in building and governing as a team, where I can listen empathetically, and be resolute in execution, as opposed to show of extreme arrogance, unbridled autocracy, and respect for no one or institution. I realize I can’t know it all and must surround myself with people I believe may know more than me, and through working synergistically, we compliment one another to achieve optimum results. These are the panacea to the problems of governance, which the current administration in Anambra lacks.”
Ozigbo, the frontline aspirant of the Labour Party in the 2025 Anambra State Governorship election, restated that the basic problems of Ndi Anambra State include, among others – security, good roads, quality improvements in education and healthcare.
For the people of Anambra North specifically, Ozigbo noted that the Onitsha environment can be a far better commercial hub, and Ogbaru and Omambala axis can be far better agricultural hub, pledging to work smartly and strategically to curb and manage the seasonal flooding problems.
Speaking on his qualifications to govern Anambra State, Ozigbo said: “We have to insist on character, competence, and compassion in choosing our Governor. I represent the right combination of these qualities. Making Onitsha a true commercial city and the Omambala area, a true processing zone for agricultural production, eliminating insecurity, and dealing with human relationships will help to bring breathe of fresh air in Anambra State.
“We need to learn from the records Peter Obi set in Anambra, learn what Alex Otti is doing in Abia and install a government that will revolutionize governance and usher in the Anambra of our dreams. My three core approaches to improving governance are the Sector approach, to enable us achieve clearly defined and measurable key performance indices in sectors of importance; Cluster approach, so we can leverage economy of scale in important cities like Onitsha axis, Nnewi axis, Omambala axis, Awka capital axis and Ekwulobia axis. The final approach is partnership, where we allow critical stakeholders to be a critical part of governance.”
Some of the leaders and people of Anambra North in attendance spoke highly of Mr. Valentine Ozigbo, expressing great confidence that he will change the status quo and narrative of our dear State.
Barr. Nonso Nwaebili applauded Mr. Ozigbo for his commitment and readiness for the Governorship project, urging the populace to be steadfast in working to give him the mandate because the task ahead, without being told, is a battle of the Titans. “We can’t go on that journey with saboteurs or people who are yet to decide who to support.” He promised to ensure that this journey would be successful.
A Professor of strategic management expressed confidence in the project and said: “Anambra has many sons but we have a true leader and a democratic personality in Valentine Ozigbo.” He pledged his unflinching support to Valentine Ozigbo.
Speaking at the event, Mrs. Azuka Enemo (Valentine Ozigbo’s running mate in the 2021 governorship election) declared that “we Ndi Anambra have work to do.”
She urged all to be united and to embrace unity of purpose to clinch victory. “We should start working towards Labour party taking over Anambra, and then we can proceed to the federal level to make Nigeria work again. I have my visa but insisted to remain in Nigeria and fight for good governance and betterment of all, she declared.
Hon. Engr Emeka Idu (Ochili mma), Member representing Onitsha North and South Federal Constituency, also expressed gladness with Ozigbo’s character and competence, stating that “we need somebody like Peter Obi to help fix Anambra, and we see it in Mr. Valentine Ozigbo. “The important thing is to remain united. Not only in the North but Central and South senatorial districts.” He also added that grassroots are very important to actualize the goal.
Hon. Afam Ogene, Caucus leader of the Labour Party in the National Assembly, and member representing Ogbaru Federal Constituency complained bitterly about the high level of insecurity in the State and affirms that Ozigbo has the character and connections to change the story positively in Anambra. He appreciated the Labour Party Anambra State for their support during the last general elections.
Hon. Peter Anekwe (Udeogalanya, MacPee) emphasized on the importance of Labour Party winning the election especially to honour our National Leader, Peter Obi. He also called on the people of Anambra North to be united in this quest.
Ozigbo, in his closing remarks, thanked the stakeholders for coming despite the short notice. He restated: “I decided to run for Governor of my State, Anambra because I’m uncomfortable with the status quo.
“We are in this project to win. I entrust my victory at the polls to the good people of Anambra. Our national leader, H.E. Peter Obi is a man of fairness and equity despite his inspiring global personality. He will definitely lead the project for the main election, but as a great leader he is, he would prefer that, I am a candidate of Ndi Anambra rather than just his or anyone else’s candidate.
“So, now you have shown me this love, and with the incredible momentum we already have, let us send out the message to Ndi Anambra that God is about to answer their prayers. I promise you all, I will make Ndi Anambra proud.”
Other political leaders and stakeholders present at the meeting include three former State Chairmen of PDP, Evangelist Don Onochie, Pandola Okwuosa and Ejike Oguebego. All the House of Assembly members of Labour Party extraction from Anambra North were present, including Hon Barr Pat Okafor, Hon Barr Jude Umennajiego, Hon Justice Azuka and Hon Fred Ezenwa. The candidates of LP in the 2023 House of Assembly election were also there including their coordinator, Hon. OCN Okafor. Labour Party State Officers leaders from the seven LGAs in the Anambra North were also.
Notable elders of Anambra North were there also, including the former Chief Judge of Anambra State, Justice Paul Obidigwe, former House of Reps member, Hon. CY Egwuatu, Zonal Chairman of PDP, Onowu Francis Udeoba and other leaders of PDP, APC and APGA in Anambra North.
The interactive session ended with an assuring smile and confidence that Mr Ozigbo is out to make Anambra Chawapu.