Thousands of teeming supporters and party faithful turned out to receive Valentine Ozigbo, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the 2021 Anambra governorship election when the campaign train stormed Aguata local government.
In his speech during the rally which took place at the Ekwulobia Stadium, former governor of Anambra State, Mr Peter Obi, noted that the local government has suffered much neglect and urged the people to rally support for Ozigbo, who has the requisite skillset to solve modern problems.
“Today, I have come to plead with the people of Aguata. This is your project”.
“Since I left office, no meaningful developmental project has been brought to Aguata. It’s time for us to stand for progress and support Ozigbo to bring progress to Aguata and Anambra State in general,” Obi appealed.
In his address to the people, the party’s candidate, Valentine Ozigbo, while condemning the pitiable decay of governance in Anambra, paid glowing tributes to former governors of Anambra State, Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife and Mr Peter Obi.
He said his plan was to follow in their footsteps, as great leaders who raised the bar for governance in Anambra State.
“The leadership of the new Anambra State began with one of Aguata’s sons, Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife (Okwadike) who became the first executive governor of the new Anambra. Okwadike did a lot of good works before the military took over. Thankfully, I received his endorsement before the PDP primary election and I do not take for granted, Ozigbo said.
“Now, we have Peter Obi, a great leader and mentor who has set a high standard for governance in Anambra State. His projects can be found across the state. Our people have clamoured for someone who can follow in his footsteps. I am making this promise in his presence that I will strive to surpass his achievements if given the mantle of leadership.
“We have a superior message and development plan for Anambra State. The Ka Anambra Chawapu manifesto is the result of many months of research on the needs of Ndi Anambra and simple solutions to make the state economically competitive once again.
“We need your prayers. We need you to embody the Ka Anambra Chawapu message and be our ambassadors in your various localities. On November 6, let us come out in your numbers to vote and also protect your votes. If we do this, I am confident that Azuka Enemo will be the next Deputy Governor, and I will be the next governor of our dear state,” Ozigbo, one of the few global Kaizen champions, said.
On her part, the PDP Deputy Governorship candidate, Mrs Azuka Enemo, thanked the people for their warm reception and the endorsement of Ozigbo. Mrs Enemo, who is a two-time Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, said Aguata should be proud of their son and unite behind his candidacy to transform the fortune of Anambra State.
“Aguata has groomed a worthy son who has the fear of God. Now is the time for us to turn the love we have for Ozigbo into votes. Go into the wards and polling units and canvass for votes. Spread the Ka Anambra Chawapu message, so our vision for Anambra State becomes a reality,” Mrs Enemo charged the animated crowd.
Party leaders who addressed the rally included, Chief O. C. Gaius Ezeh, the Chairman of the PDP Campaign Council in Aguata Local Government Area, Chief Tony Offiah, the Director for Financial Services of the Anambra PDP Governorship Campaign Council, Mrs Justina Nwafor, the Woman Leader of the PDP in Anambra State.
Apostle Onyebuchi Offor, the Minority Leader of the Anambra State House of Assembly, attested to Ozigbo’s track record in the corporate sector, assuring the mammoth crowd that he will bring the same excellence to bear in Anambra State.
Valentine Ozigbo is the immediate past President and Group CEO of Transcorp Plc, one of Africa’s largest and most diversified conglomerates. He has 27 years of experience in banking, finance, hospitality, oil and gas, power, agribusiness, sports, entertainment, and philanthropy. Ozigbo is seen as the perfect leader to revolutionalise the economy of the southeastern state.
In March 2021, Ozigbo unveiled his Ka Anambra Chawapu Manifesto, a comprehensive document that outlines a modern and practical blueprint for Anambra’s economic revival.
