Peter Obi, the vice-presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the 2019 general election, has declared Valentine Ozigbo, the flagbearer of the Party in the 2021 Anambra State governorship election, as the best option for the State.
Obi made the declaration on Tuesday, September 21, 2021, while addressing thousands of supporters at the PDP gubernatorial campaign rally in Orumba South Local Government Area. The rally is one of 21 rallies the Valentine Ozigbo Campaign is holding across the local government areas of Anambra.
In his address, Mr. Obi assured the large gathering of supporters, who thronged the St Joseph’s School Field for the rally that Valentine Ozigbo would continue from where he stopped and ensure the State witnesses aggressive development.
Obi however lamented that since he left office about eight years ago, there has been progressive infrastructural decay in the state as schools, hospitals, and roads across the state are in terrible shape.
“When we were in government, we invested heavily in the infrastructural development of the state. During that period, our schools, hospitals, and roads became the best in the country, as Anambra was rated top in every sphere of governance,” Obi said.
“We did not discriminate between state and federal roads, which made Anambra one of the best in terms of road infrastructure. Today, the story is different. Nothing was added to what we built when we were in government. This is a complete failure, and Anambra people cannot afford to reinforce failure by voting them into power again.”
While making his remarks, Ozigbo promised the people of Orumba South LGA that if elected governor come November 6, 2021, he would follow and improve on Peter Obi’s model to develop the state to the standard it deserves.
Ozigbo, who is the immediate past President and Group CEO of Transcorp Plc, thanked the people of Orumba South for the massive support accorded him.
“I started my early life in Orumba. I did all my early education here. I am a son of the soil. My victory will be a victory for Orumba South, Old Aguata, and the people of Anambra State,” Ozigbo stated.
“PDP remains the best option for Anambra State today, after suffering from an infrastructural setback for the past eight years by a lacklustre APGA government.
“If you carry out due diligence on all the candidates on the ballot, it is evident that Valentine Ozigbo and Dame Azuka Enemo are the best combination.
“Anambra was proud of Peter Obi’s government. I assure you that you’ll also be proud of my government. My administration will return power to the people. Women and youths will be given prominent seats at the table.
“We’ve drawn a road map on how to take Anambra to a better level – how to build schools, hospitals, roads and empower our people. By the special grace of God and through your support, I’ll be the next governor,” Ozigbo, a multiple award-winning global CEO, added.
While making a brief speech at the event, Mrs Azuka Enemo, the deputy governorship candidate of the PDP, said she is motivated to see Ndi Anambra enjoy the true dividends of democracy.
Mrs Enemo, who served as a Commissioner for Local Government Affairs in Peter Obi’s administration, said Ndi Anambra are in for a good time with Ozigbo as governor.
Alex Obiogbolu, the Director-General of the Anambra PDP Governorship Campaign Council, described Ozigbo as a man of excellence who would bring his wealth of experience in the corporate sector to bear in the governance of Anambra State. He also added that Mrs Enemo’s rich experience in public administration would ensure that the people at the grassroots feel the impact of good governance.
While thanking the people of Orumba South for turning out enmass to welcome the campaign train, Dr Obiogbolu asked the people to also turnout in their great numbers to cast their votes for Ozigbo and PDP come November 6, 2021.
A host of dignitaries were present at the event, including Dr Okey Muo Aroh, a member of the PDP National Working Committee (NWC); directors and members of the Anambra PDP Governorship Campaign Council; members of the Anambra State House of Assembly led by the Minority Leader, Apostle Onyebuchi Offor; members of the PDP Anambra state working committee led by the state.
Valentine Ozigbo is a respected business leader and Founder of the Valentine Chineto Ozigbo Foundation, a non-profit organisation that has empowered over 300,000 Anambra indigenes through unique initiatives and programmes aimed at raising a new generation of leaders.
In July 2021, Ozigbo unveiled Mrs Azuka Enemo, a seasoned public administrator and two-time Commissioner, as his running mate, and in August, Senator Uche Ekwunife, the lawmaker representing Anambra Central at the Nigerian Senate, was inaugurated as the Chairperson of a high-powered State Campaign Council. Both decisions have been widely applauded and consistent with Ozigbo’s promise to anchor his government on the collective strengths of women and youths.