Mr. Valentine Ozigbo, vying under the Labour Party banner for the 2025 governorship, is determined to oust Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, the incumbent governor.
This resolve surfaced during an event where he, alongside House of Representatives member Afam Ogene and other party leaders, welcomed over 300 defectors from various parties, notably the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), into the Labour Party.
Led by Hon. Pius Ndubuisi Igwilo, former APGA candidate for the Ogbaru 1 state Constituency, these defectors, predominantly from Ogbaru Local Government Area, were received by Prince Emeka Nwosu, the Labour Party chairman for Ogbaru LGA, and other key figures including Bewin Ezenwammadu and Okey Ejidike.
Addressing the gathering at Onitsha’s Holiday Resort field, Ozigbo expressed confidence in the growing momentum of defections to the Labour Party across the state.
He urged the newcomers to be proactive in recruiting more members, describing the party as an unstoppable force poised for success in upcoming elections at all levels.
He said, “I am happy to witness what is going on here today. You have taken a fantastic decision that will help to ensure that LP produces the next Anambra governor. I have asked Ndi Anambra and the verdict is that the governor is not doing well. So, we are using this point to say that he must vacate the Government House in 2025.
“Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s time is up. He cannot come back for a second term because he has disappointed Ndi Anambra. It is now left for the Labour Party to take over.
“He has failed in his responsibilities to live up to the expectations and I think Anambra people will dispense with him and bring in Labour Party in 2025 with me as the Chief shepherd to harness the potential of the state”.
Upon welcoming the defectors, Ogene, who serves as both the Chairman of the Committee on Renewable Energy in the House of Representatives and as the head of the Labour Party’s national assembly caucus, emphasized to them that joining the Labour Party was their only viable choice. He pointed out Governor Soludo’s unfulfilled promises and leadership shortcomings within APGA, stressing that the people of Anambra, known as Ndi Anambra, had been let down, particularly due to the failure to hold the local government elections as pledged during his campaign.
Ogene said, “It is not about constructing roads alone. Even an individual can construct roads but the nitty gritty of governance lies in the ability of a governor to settle disputes, maintain adequate security and manage the affairs of the state effectively.
“There is no disunity in LP whether you are from the North, West, East or South, the LP door is opened at all times. It is good to enter into a place that is good and you must enter on time. You have come to strengthen the party and together we will work together to take over Anambra in 2025.”
The former APGA stalwart who spearheaded the defection, Prince Igwilo, emphasized their departure aimed at preventing the reelection of the incumbent state governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo. Igwilo criticized Soludo’s performance over the past two years and pledged to ensure his defeat in the upcoming election.
“I was previously aligned with APGA but have since shifted to the Labour Party,” Igwilo remarked. “I orchestrated the migration to LP because it aligns with the interests of the populace, and many elected officials are also in its fold.”
“Our principal, Mr Peter Obi, has shown good character and good example in the LP and we are here to support him in his pursuit for a country that is working for all of us. We left APGA because the slogan, ‘APGA bu nke ayi’ has become a mere statement and the promises they gave us in Anambra last time are not being fulfilled and that is why the people are disillusioned. The state governor is doing his best, but his best are not enough. He has failed in his promises, he did not even do one.
“What tangible project has he giving to us. He promised us he would conduct local government elections after two years as governor in office, but this is going to three years, he has failed to do that and he is looking for another tenure, it doesn’t make sense, any politician that made promises during election and failed should not be giving another opportunity.
“I think it’s high time for Ndi Anambra to try another party and see what they can do because nothing tangible is happening in Anambra. The roads he is building are things a local government chairman can do if election is conducted.
“It is not an achievement that a governor will come and do borehole and be announcing it all over the places, I, myself I can do borehole for the people. These are things individuals can do. Okay, look at the kind of road he gave us at Ochanja, the first rain washed a part of it off, who knows what will happen by the time rainy season fully sets in, but we pray the roads last.
“My expectations are high as we joined the Labour Party, the Labour Party elected officials are really doing well, those at the house of Assembly forfeited their six months salaries for the people, all across the country, LP officials are really doing very well.”
The head of the group that switched allegiances generously contributed approximately 200 sacks of 10kg rice to the LP party affiliates, which also included a ward office in Okpoko.
