Ozigbo Shuns APC Primary, Seeks Justice Through formal Petition
LAGOS – Valentine Ozigbo, a prominent contender for the APC’s gubernatorial nomination in Anambra State, has dismissed the party’s April 5 primary as a sham and an act of theft against Ndi Anambra, thereby refusing to acknowledge its legitimacy.
On Tuesday, O Zigbo announced through a press statement that he had submitted an official complaint to the APC Gubernatorial Primary Appeals Committee. In this petition, he alleged that the procedures leading to Mr Nicholas Ukachukwu being named the party’s candidate were marred by deceit, procedural errors, and breaches of democratic principles.
He stated, "Yesterday, I officially filed a petition with the Appeals Committee of our esteemed party... However, based on all visible indicators, this process was nothing more than a farce—an intricately planned theft aimed at producing a preordained result," as written by Ozigbo.
Ozigbo argued that due to extensive manipulation, voter disenfranchisement, and opaque vote-counting processes, the election broke both the internal regulations of the party and the wider principles of equity and transparency essential for a fair democratic procedure.
He stated that he became part of the APC in February following his time with the Labour Party and a significant attempt at winning the gubernatorial position in 2021 under the PDP. He framed his move as an effort to protect democratic principles rather than addressing a personal issue.
This goes beyond my personal matters; it concerns the essence of our democratic system," he penned, continuing that it pertains "to the principles we stand for" as well as "the legacy we leave for our offspring." He further emphasized that what happened on April 5th wasn’t merely an affront to him personally—it was fundamentally a betrayal of Ndi Anambra’s rightful entitlements.
Ozigbo is considered one of the strongest figures in Anambra politics, known for his broad appeal among young voters, an unblemished reputation, and a distinctive talent for connecting Nigeria’s business world with its political sphere.
Observers highlight that among the APC candidates, he stands out as the sole contender with a contemporary voter support network and an ability to attract voters from rival parties, positioning him strongly against incumbent Governor Charles Soludo for the upcoming November election.
Nevertheless, Ozigbo confirmed his choice to stay within the APC and keep battling from inside the party ranks.
"I won't be swayed. I won't go running to the Senate, nor will I shift towards some other political chance for personal gain. Instead, I'll remain steadfast within the APC and wage this noble battle until it reaches a fair conclusion," he asserted.
Despite eschewing political convenience, Ozigbo stressed that his entry into politics was solely driven by a desire to serve rather than seeking authority.
I'm not focused on being a transactional politician... My aim is to wield power in order to bring about change, reinstate respect, generate employment opportunities, ensure safety, and illuminate the way forward for future generations.
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