By Jude Atupulazi
Ahead of the next year’s governorship election in Anambra State, one of Nigeria’s business moguls and former governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, in Anambra State, Mr Valentine Ozigbo, has received endorsement to fly the flag of Labour Party, LP.
At a high-powered meeting of Labour Party stakeholders in Enugwu- Ukwu, Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State hosted by Mr Martin Obinna Anekwe, January 6, Ozigbo received Anekwe’s endorsement to run for governor on the party’s platform.
‘I called this meeting to inform my political family, my supporters, and all the stakeholders of the Labour Party, and the wider Njikoka political community, that for the next governorship election in our dear state, I am standing with the Labour Party, and my good friend, Valentine Ozigbo,’ Mr Anekwe told the high-powered audience, amid cheers.
In response, Ozigbo expressed gratitude to the host, Anekwe, and all the party stakeholders present, promising to make a formal statement concerning the state of Anambra State and the 2025 governorship race very soon.
Ozigbo also used the opportunity to wish Hon Val Ayika a happy birthday in advance. The former federal lawmaker clocked 59 last Monday.
In addition to Valentine Ozigbo, present at the meeting were political heavyweights like Chief Cosmas Agagbo; Chief Okey Ezeibe, a billionaire businessman and a chieftain of the Labour Party; Hon Valentine Ayika, a former federal and state lawmaker; Hon Paul Obu (Minority Whip of Anambra State House of Assembly); Chief Innocent Akpuaka; Dr. Ndubuisi George; Mr Clem Nwana; Ozomkpu Jude Ekwunife; Ndubuisi Obi; Ambassador Charles Isintume; Chief Robinson Eziamaka; Dr Willie Emenari; Obinna Okafor; Mrs. Chinyere Nwafornta; and Joe Adigwe.
Labour Party’s Anambra State Chairman, Chief Ugochukwu Emeh; the Executive Council of the Labour Party in Njikoka LGA; the chairmen and secretaries of the party from the 18 wards in Njikoka, and many other stakeholders were present at the meeting.
One of the event’s highlights was the presentation of a Labour Party membership card to Mr Anekwe and Hon. Valentine Ayika.
The event was the first major meeting of Labour Party stakeholders for the year 2024 and the first local government visit by Ozigbo, who was the immediate past President and Group CEO of Transcorp Plc.
Ozigbo was also formally presented with an award for his outstanding contribution to education and youth development given to him at a December 11, 2023 event organised by YOUreka Media, Arts and Entertainment held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel.
Collette Davidson, the author of “Nature and I”, during the presentation, extolled Ozigbo for his compassionate interventions in youth development and education through his VCO foundation.
