By Ifeoma Ejiofor
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) standard-bearer in the November 6 Anambra State governorship election, Mr. Valentine Ozigbo, has explained the factors that informed his choice of running mate in Mrs. Azuka Enemo.
The PDP candidate also said emphatically that he does not have any godfather.
Mr Ozigbo stated this on Monday during an interactive session with media practitioners in Awka.
The PDP flag bearer said, as a matter of fact, that he is an independent-minded person who does not believe in godftherism. “Not even Mr. Peter Obi, Tony Elumelu, or any other individuals influenced my decision in choosing my running mate,” he said.
Mr Ozigbo said that the leadership of the PDP can make suggestions to him about issues but the suggestion he maintained must be accessed on its merit.
He rubbished the claim in some quarters that his running mate, Mrs Azuka Enemo was imposed on him by an unnamed godfather.
“I decided to run along with Mrs Azuka Enemo because of her huge integrity and large support base. Nobody imposed her on me. The fact that I ran an election primary for two years in the state should have given me an idea of who my deputy would be though I didn’t decide on that even after the primary.
“I am not one of the people who go to politicians to make empty promises, infact I was in the plane coincidentally with Mr Peter Obi and I told him how I would engage the leadership of Anglican Communion to get my deputy.
“I turned down the first list of the people they sent to me not because the individuals sent to me are not good but there are certain criteria I insisted that must be met” he said.
Mr. Ozigbo said that he has to be thorough about the choice of his running mate because his deputy must be someone he has complete confidence in.