Valentine Ozigbo, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) flag-bearer in the 2021 Anambra governorship election, on Thursday, August 26, 2021, met with the Association of Past President-Generals in Anambra State (APPAS) to strategise ahead of the November poll.
The meeting, held at Sea Gate Hotel, Awka, also presented Mr Ozigbo with an avenue to appreciate the former community leaders’ unwavering support for his candidacy.
Recall that in December 2020, APPAS was one of the first groups to formally endorse Mr Ozigbo’s candidacy for governor months before his victorious outing at the June 26 PDP primary election.
In his address to the large gathering, Ozigbo, who was accompanied by his running mate, Mrs Azuka Enemo, thanked the former President-Generals for their commitment to the Ka Anambra Chawapu project, promising to live up to their lofty expectations.
“I am here to express my gratitude to APPAS for being early believers in our grand vision for Anambra State and following through with invaluable support,” Ozigbo remarked.
“This association forms the core of the leaders and decision-makers at the grassroots in Anambra State and, therefore, has a crucial role to play in the upcoming election.
“This election is critical because the future of Anambra depends on the choices we make in November. These choices will shape the policies of the future and determine the reality our children will contend with.
“For now, we must take advantage of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise and ensure our people in our various wards are adequately armed with their voter’s card.
“We need to break the cycle of unproductive leadership in Anambra and install a government that will revolutionise governance and usher in the Anambra of our dreams,” Ozigbo added.
In her address, Mrs Enemo said Ozigbo represents a generation of leaders that will ensure that Anambra reaches its full potentials.
“The truth is that Anambra has tragically depreciated from what it used to be when we were in office,” Mrs Enemo, a two-time Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, stated.
“Fortunately, we have Mr Valentine Ozigbo, a good man with an exceptional drive to restore Anambra’s glory.
“His experience in relevant fields, especially heading one of Nigeria’s strongest organisations, Transcorp Plc, separates him as one of Nigeria’s best brains and a blessing to Anambra.
“He has the brains, character, and connections to change the story of Ndi Anambra, and I’m proud to partner with him to ensure that we get it right this time,” Enemo said.
In his remarks, the National President of APPAS, Mazi Omife I Omife, thanked Mr Ozigbo and Mrs Enemo for taking out time to meet with the group.
According to Mazi Omife, there is work to be done to ensure that Ozigbo emerges victorious in the guber poll, assuring them of their conviction in his candidacy and their resolve to partner with him to make Anambra regain its lost glory.
Several directors and leaders of the Anambra PDP Governorship Campaign Council accompanied Ozigbo to the meeting including, Mr Obinna Ufudo, the Director of Finance; Chief Ejike Oguebego, the Director for Inter-party and Inter-party Affairs; agribusiness tycoon, Ichie Sunday Ezeobiora; Mr Robert Umeozulu and several others.