Val Ozigbo, ex-PDP gov’ship candidate dumps party, declares support for Obi

Valentine Ozigbo, the People’s Democratic Party’s (PDP) candidate for governor in the 2021 elections in Anambra State, has defected to Peter Obi’s Labour Party.

Speaking on the Charles Aniagolu-hosted “The Arise Interview” program on Thursday, Mr. Ozigbo said he made the decision to leave the PDP because he wanted to make sure that, at this precarious point in Nigeria’s history, a capable and forward-thinking leader would be chosen to guide the country into the future.

He asserted that Nigerians might be divided into two groups: “those attempting to maintain the status quo and those dissatisfied with the current situation and seeking to effect good change.

“I belong to the group that is uncomfortable with the status quo, and we must do what we have to do save this country and set us back on the path of progress,” Ozigbo said.

Ahead of his TV appearance, Mr Ozigbo also released a statement to the Nigerian press, titled “2023: A Watershed Moment for Nigeria”, Ozigbo presented a strong argument for the country to depart from the “old brigade of politicians” and ended with a powerful endorsement of Mr Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party for the upcoming general election.

“There comes a defining moment in the life of any country when all people of good conscience must stand up to be counted. Those times offer no middle ground; you are either on the dark side or on the side of the light,” Ozigbo wrote.

“For Nigeria, 2023 is such a moment. Nigerians will be divided into two classes – those who will work to entrench the forces that have destroyed Nigeria or those warriors of the light who will work to bring justice, equity, and peace to our beloved country. And next year, as we go to the polls to elect a new president, there will be no fences to sit on.”

On Obi’s candidacy, Ozigbo endorsed the former Anambra governor, whom he described as a leader with “the right vision for this country, the temperance, and the capacity and experience to take Nigeria out of these troubled waters and lead us to a land of promise”.

“His Excellency, Peter Obi was the governor of my home state of Anambra for eight years. The groundswell of support that his candidacy is receiving from Anambra, the South East, and the entire country is based mainly on the revolutionary, inclusive, and inspiring leadership he demonstrated as a governor,” Ozigbo declared.

“Before he was 40 years, Peter Obi had created an enviable mark in the private sector. A multiple-award-winning banker, entrepreneur, and globally trained business leader, Obi took the helm of Anambra State after a long fight for justice.

“Eight years later, he had completely transformed the leadership culture in Anambra with his style of down-to-earth grassroots engagement, prudential management of resources, and keen vision for qualitative transformation.

“Peter Obi is the Nigerian politician I have the utmost respect for. Having worked with him closely during my governorship campaign in 2021, I can attest that Obi is a thoughtful, kind, and generous leader who seeks excellence in all he does.

“After spending many months working with this phenomenal human, I am convinced that he has an abiding love for Nigeria and all Nigerians.

“He has the right vision for this country, the temperance, and the capacity and experience to take Nigeria out of these troubled waters and lead us to a land of promise.

“I acknowledge the brilliant choice of His Excellency Peter Obi’s running mate, Dr Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed. Together, this is an unbeatable presidential ticket, and they deserve the support of all well-meaning Nigerians.”