Awka – Valentine Ozigbo, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) flag-bearer for the 2021 Anambra governorship election, has taken another significant step in unifying the party ahead of the November 6 poll, when he hosted the party’s former statutory and ad-hoc delegates to town hall meetings in the three senatorial zones.
Ozigbo had received his certificate of return from the National Chairman of the PDP, on Wednesday, June 30, 2021, after the party’s National Working Committee had certified his victory at the party’s primary held in Awka on June 26, 2021.
Recently, he took his unification drive to the grassroots of the PDP by hosting three ‘VCO Thank You’ events in Nnewi for Anambra South, Awka for Anambra Central, and Onitsha for Anambra North.
At the three events, the respected business leader expressed his sincere gratitude, first to God from whom all victory comes and then to the party leadership at different levels, for their collective and individual roles in ensuring that he emerged from a free, fair, and credible process.
“I do not consider this a personal victory. It is a collective triumph for our great party, the PDP, and the first step towards taking back our rightful position at Agu Awka,” Ozigbo said.
Ozigbo appealed to the aggrieved party delegates who could not vote at the primary, revealing that he made last-minute efforts to ensure that they were part of the voting process at the primary election but conflicting court injunctions had forced the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) to dissolve the party’s structure at state, local government and ward level, leaving only the automatic delegates, who were not affected by the court rulings.
“After many months of getting to know you, it personally hurt me to see you disenfranchised at the last minute. I know how hard you have all worked for the party’s progress, so I feel your pain.
“I assure you that you all will be part of the process as we head to the main election. I will never forget the effort you have put into ensuring that my candidacy is a reality, and your good works will be rewarded,” he promised
The multiple award-winning global CEO reminded the audience that the PDP must focus on the more fantastic trophy ahead and ensure they “bring it home”, reiterating his confidence in their commitment and ability to carry on the good work until the last day.
“I am here today, not only to thank you but to also remind you that though we have achieved a lot together, greater achievements lie ahead.
“Even before winning the primary election, we have set our governance goals and objectives to reflect a massive development of every sector and area of Anambra through creativity and innovation that will leverage 21st-century technological advancements.
“I assure you that we are fully committed to those aspirations that got us here in the first place, and you will be part of every step of that process.
“Your belief in my candidacy from the beginning of this journey contributed to the overall win we are celebrating today, and I am incredibly grateful.
“Your trust and confidence in the party’s supremacy were put to the test on the election day, but you showed your true allegiance and demonstrated strong loyalty to the party,” Ozigbo told the PDP delegates.
Since his emergence, Ozigbo has visited party leaders like former President Goodluck Jonathan, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim, Sir Emeka Ihedioha, a former Governor of Imo State; Senator Ben Obi, Chief Linus Ukachukwu, Chief Chris Uba (Eselu), Senator Stella Oduah, Chief Olisa Metuh, a former National Publicity Secretary of the PDP; past and serving Anambra lawmakers, and more, with the aim of building consensus around his candidacy.
