By Ifeoma Ejiofor
Valentine Ozigbo, the flag-bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2021 Anambra governorship election in the November 6 poll has flagged off a tour of all the twenty one local governments areas in the state.
The local government tour, which began with a rally held at Government Field, Ajalli, in Orumba North LGA, aims to deepen the conversation on the future of Anambra State and take the Ka Anambra Chawapu message to the grassroots.
In a very remarkable show of acceptance, the people of Orumba North came out in their thousands to witness the event, which marked the flag off of the PDP campaign activities at the local government areas.
In his welcome address, the Vice Chairman of the PDP in Anambra South Senatorial Zone, Chief Emma Ebene, thanked the people of Orumba North for coming out in their numbers. He appreciated them for their show of support, solidarity and most importantly, their strong belief in the party’s candidate, Valentine Ozigbo.
Chief Ebene reiterated that PDP is now best positioned to win the governorship election than ever and called on Ndi Anambra state to look beyond sentiments and vote for a candidate who ticks all the boxes of a modern hands-on governor.
“On behalf of the entire people of Orumba North, I welcome you to our local government today. Our great party in Anambra state started here in Orumba, and Valentine Ozigbo has kicked off his tour here,” Chief Emma Ebene said.
“We are out here in our numbers to show that this time around, our choice is clear. Valentine Ozigbo is the choice of Orumba North, and there is no doubt about that.
“The people of Orumba have suffered enough neglect from the government of the day, and we have resolved to make a better choice this time around,” he concluded.
Dr Rose Nwankwo, the Director for Support Groups for the Anambra PDP Governorship Campaign Council, echoed Chief Ebene’s comments, reassuring the people of Orumba that Valentine Ozigbo is the only candidate that deserves their vote in the coming election.
She regretted that the dilapidated roads within the state have made it difficult to access different parts of the state and pleaded with the people to vote for Valentine Ozigbo so enable Anambra state blossom again.
In his address, the immediate past Governor of Anambra State, His Excellency Mr Peter Obi, took time to appreciate the people of Orumba for their massive support and turn out.
Obi, who was PDP’s Vice-Presidential candidate in the 2019 general election, promised that voting for Mr Ozigbo as the next governor would guarantee a massive turnaround in the people’s standard of living.
“Ndi Orumba, it gladdens my heart to be in your midst today to introduce to you the next governor of Anambra state. The man who will continue from where I stopped and will do more than I did,” Obi said.
“Valentine Ozigbo is a son of the soil, a bonafide indigene of the Old Aguata Union. I am very confident that he will work for the interest of all of us when he becomes a governor.
“It is unfortunate that almost most of the projects in Orumba North were erected by my administration. We built the road leading from Ajalli to Aguata and the one from Ufuma to Enugu. We constructed the Odor bridge that linked Oko to Awgbu and Awka. During my tenure, we renovated the secretariat and built schools because we believe that a governor should use the people’s funds for the people’s good.
“Valentine Ozigbo is young. He has learnt the ropes and climbed to the apex of his corporate Nigeria and will bring his managerial experience and expertise to make Anambra state great again,” Obi concluded.
While making his remarks, the PDP candidate, Ozigbo, thanked the people for their massive show of support.
“Whenever I am in Orumba, it feels like home. I was born here in Orumba, so it is safe to say that I am in the company of my brothers and sisters,” Ozigbo said.
“In Orumba, I am very confident in your backing ahead of the coming election. All that is needed now is for everyone to play their part to ensure that our victory is a reality.
“In Nigeria today, PDP remains the best party, and together with my running mate, Mrs Azuka Enemo, Anambra has the best combination to usher us into an era of greatness.
“So, I am confident that with your support, we are at the verge of clinching this victory,” Ozigbo added.
Several PDP leaders, directors of the Anambra PDP Governorship Campaign Council, and thousands of party faithful were present at the event, including Chief Okey Muo Aroh, a member of the PDP National Working Committee (NWC), Chief Okey Ezibe, the leader of the PDP in Orumba North and South, and many others.
Valentine Ozigbo is a respected business leader and philanthropist with over 27 years of experience in banking, business administration, finance, hospitality, agribusiness, energy, oil and gas, sports, and entertainment.