From Ijeoma John,Nnewi.
Valentine Ozigbo, a Nigerian business mogul and leading aspirant for the 2025 Anambra State governorship election, has charged All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders and stakeholders to make the right choice for the party ahead of the all-important election.
Ozigbo made this known during a productive town hall engagement with party faithful, including grassroots mobilisers, youth groups, and community influencers, at the Marble Arch Hotel in Awka on Saturday, March 29, 2025.
The event, which also included state executives, local government party executives, and ward leaders from across Anambra Central Senatorial District, was part of Ozigbo’s intensified efforts to rally the party in his quest to secure the APC ticket ahead of the November 2025 election.
Addressing the high-spirited crowd, Ozigbo highlighted why the party must put its best foot forward to stand a chance at dislodging the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) government led by Governor Chukwuma Soludo.
He also reeled out the importance of aligning Anambra to the party at the centre, saying it’s crucial to fast-track development in the areas of security, infrastructure, and human capital development.
“APC taking over Anambra State is a win-win for everybody,” the prominent philanthropist declared.
‘It’s a win-win for Ndi Anambra because we’re going to draw the attention of the centre on many things we want to do, and we’re going to need the cooperation of the centre in insecurity, industrial development, infrastructural development, human capital development, all of these aspects.”
“The extent we want to go, Anambra must be the first among all the states of Nigeria. We must move at a faster pace, not one where we are looking for approval, so every door we knock is immediately opened.”
Ozigbo, who joined the APC earlier this year, explained that a selfish search for comfort did not influence his decision to move to the ruling party, but rather the realisation that he needed a strong platform to form a formidable force to rescue the state from bad governance.
“I did not leave the Labour Party to find comfort—I left because I knew that if we must rescue Anambra from bad governance, we need a platform that can win. That platform is APC, and the time is now,” he stated.
The immediate past President and Group CEO of Transcorp Plc also spoke on the values ingrained in him by his parents, who taught him that leadership in service isn’t about privilege or what you stand to gain from office, but about what you have to offer the people.
“I was raised by parents who taught me that leadership is service, not privilege. That it is not what you gain from office, but what you give. That is why I stand here—not for power, but to serve Ndi Anambra,” he added.
He reiterated that the people are ready to kick out the Soludo government, as shown by many opinion polls and the mood in the state, declaring that Ndi Anambra are eager to elect him as a better replacement.
“The polls don’t lie. The people have spoken. If the election were held today, Soludo would lose resoundingly because he has failed the people. And the person Ndi Anambra want to replace him is me,” he told the gathering.
Ozigbo also shared his vision for the state, which is building thriving public infrastructures for Ndi Anambra, and urged the party leaders to join him on the journey to birth a new state that will be the pride of all.
“My vision for Anambra is clear: A state where our markets thrive, our roads work, our young people have jobs, and no mother goes to bed worried about the safety of her children. That is the Anambra we will build—together.
“I am not here to ask you to follow me because of my party; I am asking you to follow me because I have a plan, a proven capacity, and an unwavering commitment to make Anambra work again. By the special grace of God, Ka Anambra Chawapu will become become a reality,” Ozigbo concluded.
The event marked the end of Ozigbo’s special town hall engagements with stakeholders from the three senatorial zones in the state.
Similar meetings were held in Anambra South and North on Thursday and Friday, respectively.
Some of the notable APC leaders at the event were, Chief Mrs. Callista Nwachukwu, the State APC Treasurer; Mrs. Rita Echedom, the State APC Deputy State Woman Leader; Hon. Ekene Okafor, the APC State Welfare; APC LG Chairmen and Executive Committee members of Anambra Central Senatorial Zone
Several top dignitaries also attended the event, including Chief Chidi Ogbaji, Chairman of VCO Advisory Council; Chief Dr Tony Offiah, a member of the VCO Advisory Council; Chief Chike Nwaiwu, a member of the VCO Advisory Council; Barr Cosmas Anyabolu, Mrs Wendy Atikpoh, Women Leader of The Valiant Movement; Ike Bishop Okoronkwo, National Co-ordinator of the Valiant Movement; and Hon. Justin Kingland, Convener, Anambra Needs Val Ozigbo and Anambra South Central Leader for the Valiant Movement; among others.
Others include, Dr. Deka Ezeadili, Anambra North Co-ordinator of the Valiant Movement, Sir Afam Okpalauzuegbu, Chief Nwanwuna Obi, Bartholomew Obagha, Mr Joe Uzoh, and Mrs. Nonye Ndunechi.