Valentine Ozigbo, the flag-bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for the November governorship election, has unveiled his running mate in a surprise move at a town hall meeting with PDP stakeholders in Awka, the state capital.
At the event, held on Thursday, July 29, 20221, at Oma Event Centre, Mr Ozigbo named Mrs Azuka Enemo, a former commissioner of Anambra State, a seasoned administrator, and educationist, as his deputy. His announcement was greeted with joy and celebration, especially among the women present.
Ozigbo, a multiple-award-winning global CEO, also assured the packed hall of PDP faithful that the litigations within the party would be resolved in a short time. He revealed that a competent team of legal experts is “on top of the matter”, and “the distractions would be in the past”.
The respected business leader also declared that the party was ready to kick off its campaign when INEC declares the games open early in August. He urged the PDP leadership, at all levels, to get set to take up the challenge of taking the Ka Anambra Chawapu message to the grassroots of the state as the upcoming election would be “won in the hearts of Ndi Anambra”.
Ozigbo urged the party faithful not to spare anything to ensure total victory for PDP at the November 6 guber polls, noting that PDP remains the only platform that genuinely cares for the people.
The Oma Event Center Awka was filled to its 2,000-capacity as PDP members turned up for the meeting to express their loyalty and unflinching support for Mr Ozigbo.
,”Today is one of appreciation and thank yous. Thank you to the leadership of the PDP for your support during the primary and for your continued support in the days and weeks to come,” Ozigbo said.
Ozigbo, who is the immediate past President and Group CEO of Transcorp Plc, dispelled concerns emanating from rumours of ditching the PDP and picking up that of a small party.
“All members of PDP NEC, BoT, PDP governors, and other stakeholders in other political parties are rooting for us and with that level of support, there is no need to contemplate moving to another political platform,” he declared to resounding applause.
“This is PDP’s time to shine and produce the Anambra State governor. I cannot overemphasise this.”
Ozigbo apologised to anyone in the party who was still aggrieved after the keenly contested primary. He urged everyone to forgive and unify behind a greater purpose which is to rescue the destiny of Anambra from the hands of the dysfunctional APGA government.
In his comment, Peter Obi, the immediate past governor of Anambra and the Vice Presidential candidate of PDP in the 2019 election, urged every aggrieved person to let go of the past and forge into the future. He said that what is ahead for the PDP is more significant than what is in the past.
Obi maintained that it would be in the party’s best interest for the leaders, stakeholders, and members united ahead of the November poll.
“PDP has a quality candidate in the person of Valentine Ozigbo; a better Anambra State is assured under his watch. Governance is a serious business and not a retirement benefit,” Mr Obi noted.
All the speakers at the occasion extolled the leadership qualities of Mr Valentine Ozigbo, who is one of the most recognisable philanthropists in Nigeria and an international sports developer.
Other dignitaries who spoke at the event were Senator Ben Ndi Obi, a Board of Trustees member of the PDP, a member of the National Executive Committee, NEC, of the PDP, Chief Barr. Okey Muo Aroh, a former chairman of Anambra Chapter of the PDP, Chief Cosmas Agagbo, and Dr Alex Obiogbolu, a PDP chieftain who is a former gubernatorial candidate.
