Anambra 2021: Ozigbo assures PDP governors of victory

By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

The standard bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the November 6 governorship poll in Anambra State, Mr. Valentine Ozigbo, has described many of the court cases trailing the Anambra State chapter of the party as frivolous.

Addressing PDP Governors Forum at a meeting held at the Government House in Bauchi, the capital of Bauchi State, the governorship hopeful hinted the governors that efforts were being made to resolve the disputes within the party.

He said that a meeting of crucial PDP stakeholders would be held later in the week, expressing confidence that he would surmount all challenges and win the upcoming poll.

In his address to the governors, Ozigbo expressed confidence in his candidacy and the hope that PDP as a party will win the Anambra governorship election.

He called for consolidation on the progress the party has made in holding transparent primaries.

He said: “The primary held on June 26, 2021, conducted by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party, is the most free, fair, and transparent primary in the party’s history. I commend Prince Uche Secondus, the National Chairman of the PDP, for his leadership and contribution to the development of the party.

“When I decided to leave the corporate world and begin a new chapter of my life in politics, I choose PDP for the many positive things about our party.

“The calibre of our governors and the quality of their governance was a key factor I considered. PDP is the only party delivering credible and evidence-based dividends of democracy to Nigerians.

“I am a firm believer in party unity and team spirit. PDP has what it takes to win the Presidency and many more states in 2023, but we must stick together on a common purpose.”

Ozigbo called for unity in PDP, expressing confidence that the litigation that has delayed publishing his name by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) would be resolved “soon enough” to make way for the PDP to launch a never-before-seen campaign that would usher the party to victory.

“What we offer to Ndi Anambra is the promise of transformational leadership that will fix what’s broken in the government, build new social services that work, and deliver quality governance to the people,” Ozigbo told the governors.

“Our Ka Anambra Chawapu idea has ignited a grassroots movement that has not been seen in Nigerian politics in quite some time, and I am confident that the people of Anambra will choose PDP when the election holds on November 6,” he added.

All the main opposition party’s governors were in the meeting hosted by Governor Bala Mohammed in the northwestern state. They unanimously offered to support Ozigbo “in every way” to ensure the party harmonizes and clinches victory come November.

Also present at the meeting were Governors Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State and Chairman of PDP Governors Forum); Nyesom Wike (Rivers); Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom); Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta); Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia); Darius Ishaku (Taraba); Godwin Obaseki (Edo); Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu); Seyi Makinde (Oyo); Duoye Diri (Bayesla); Samuel Ortom (Benue); Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa); and Deputy Governor Aliyu Gusau of Zamfara State.

•PHOTO: Valentine Ozigbo (in white), the PDP flag-bearer in the Nov 6 Governorship election, attends a meeting of the PDP Governors Forum held at the Government House Bauchi. Governor Godwin Obaseki sits in the background.