By Ifeoma Ejiofor
Valentine Ozigbo, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) frontrunner ahead of the November 2021 governorship election in Anambra State on Wednesday held a town hall meeting with the party leaders at the state, local government, and ward level.
The well-attended event held at Emmaus House, attracted PDP State Executive Committee members, LG Chairmen and Executives, PDP Statutory Delegates, Ward Chairman, and Vice-Chairmen.
In his inspiring address to the party leaders and kingmakers, Mr Ozigbo described the forthcoming gubernatorial election as ‘an opportunity to decide their destinies’.
Ozigbo, who is the immediate Past President and Group CEO of Transcorp Plc, stated that Anambra’s election is highly crucial and demands a different approach from previous elections.
“This is not an election to be treated with laxity. The futures of our children and the reality they pass on to the next generation hangs on the decisions we make at the polls,” Ozigbo told the power-packed political audience.
“We are dealing with insecurity of alarming proportions. Freedom to live without looking over your shoulder is now a luxury. We are having conversations about our survival, which is the barest minimum for any civilisation.
“To bridge the gap between ourselves and advanced countries, we must put our house in order and start changing our priorities.
“Our current situation is the repercussion of bad leadership at all levels. This election presents an opportunity to begin a rebuilding process for the people of Anambra, and we must grab it with both hands,” the respected business mogul said.
Ozigbo charged the delegates and the state leaders of the party to use their votes at the primaries to ensure that the PDP is ready for the election.
“You, as delegates, play a demanding role of showing the people that the PDP is ready for the ballot. We must show readiness by putting our best foot forward, and it starts at the primaries,” Ozigbo continued.
“What Ndi Anambra deserve is a credible leader who has the right combination of character, competence, capacity, and compassion for the people.
“Sentiments should not guide our decision at the primaries. The people are looking up to us, so we must not disappoint them because we stuck to outdated tactics,” he added.
The town hall follows a string of engagement events held over the past months, consolidating Ozigbo’s position as the leading governorship aspirant in the state.
In March 2021, Ozigbo held similar events with prominent indigenes of Anambra descent in Lagos, Abuja and Enugu, where he officially launched his Ka Anambra Chawapu manifesto. In May 2021, he further deepened the conversation by engaging PDP key stakeholders in the state’s three senatorial zones in similar town hall meetings.
The event was attended by the PDP State Executive Committee members, Local Government Executives, Statutory Delegates, Ward Chairman and Vice-Chairmen, led by Chief Ndubuisi Nwobu, who Chief C.C. Okeke, the Vice-Chairman for Anambra South, represented.
Some notable guests include Mrs Justina Nwafor, the State Woman Leader of the PDP; Hon Barr Emeka Anyaenetu, a former Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly; Rt Hon Barr Kelue Molokwu, the Former Deputy Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly and Hon. RCK Ezeilo, a former Majority Leader of the Anambra State House of Assembly; Hon Onyebuchi Offor, the Minority Leader of the Anambra State House of Assembly; Barr Douglas Egbuna, the Deputy Minority Whip of the Anambra State House of Assembly; Hon Noble Igwe; Chief Benji Udeozo, a former State Chairmen of the party, Chief and Goddy Eze, a former Council Chairman in Dunukofia LGA, and many others.
Some top-ranking members of the VCO Campaign Organisation were present, including Rt Hon Eucharia Azodo, a two-time member of the Federal House of Representatives and a former Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly; Hon Barr Valentine Ayika, a former member of both the Federal House of Representatives and the Anambra State House of Assembly; Hon Sir Cyril Egwuatu, a former member of the Federal House of Representatives; Hon. Tim Egboka, a former member of the Anambra State House of Assembly; Chief Ejike Oguebego, the immediate past Chairman of the PDP in Anambra State; Dame Love Ebeh, a former PDP woman leader in the state.
Others are Chief Tony Offiah, a prominent PDP stalwart the Director of Finance of the VCO Campaign Organisation; Chief Ikechukwu Akaeze, a former Chairman of the party in Dunukofia LGA; Chief Okey Enekwe, a former Chairman in Orumba North Local Government; Sir Izuchukwu Oraelosi, the General Manager of the VCO Foundation; Lady Juliet Anaeme; Dr Willy Emenari, a former Chairman of the PDP in Njikoka local government area; Chief Damian Nwafor; Chief Bartholomew Obagha; Hon Peter Umeonwuka; Comrade Innocent Ugwo, the leader of the VCO Youth Movement; Mrs Oby Mezi, the woman leader of the VCO Youth Movement; Comrade Frank Ekpeha O, the Secretary of the VCO Youth Movement, and many others.