In the ongoing consultations of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Valentine Ozigbo receives huge support from the Association of Past President-Generals of Anambra State (APPAS) as they agreed to back his bid as their sole candidate in the 2021 Anambra state governorship election.
On Wednesday, December 16, 2020, after a meeting with Ozigbo and over 200 members of APPAS held at Seagate Hotel, Awka, the capital of Anambra State, the decision to formally endorse him at a date to be communicated was made known. The association clearly stated that the presence of Mr Ozigbo would be requested to sign an agreement with them on good governance.
The National President of APPAS, Mazi Omife. I. (MON), the Mbuze of Mbaukwu spoke on behalf of the group and revealed that the decision to support Valentine Ozigbo was made after meticulous scrutiny of more than 40 aspirants who have indicated an interest in the Anambra State governorship election.
As reported by Mazi Omife, it is no secret that Anambra State is nowhere near acquiring its huge potentials. In order for the state to reach the heights expected of it, resolute, result-based leadership would be required.
Others who spoke representing their various zones were Chief Chukwuma Chukwukeme (Ekwulimili) and Chief Dr Ignatius Nnubia (Ihembosi), who spoke as a representative of Anambra South Senatorial Zone, Chief Paul Ogudo (Nibo) and Okwy Ofejimalu (Okpuno), representing Anambra Central Senatorial Zone, Chief Osita Ononuju (Amiyi) and Mr Peter Nwagu (Onitsha) who spoke on behalf of Anambra North Central. The PGs further announced that APPA was satisfied that Ozigbo had the required skillset, attribute and character to lead the state to greatness.
The group highlighted Ozigbo’s excellent qualities shown by a trailblazing pattern of distinction from his 17-year stint in the banking industry to his period as MD/CEO of Transcorp Hotels which led the hotel to its recognition as the number one destination in Africa, a feat that saw him appointed as the President and Group CEO of the Transcorp Plc. , Nigeria’s largest shareholder-based conglomerate.
Ozigbo’s excellent track record of excellence, professional accomplishments and many more activities including philanthropy, sport, entertainment and human resource management revealed that he was more than capable of steering Anambra State. Ozigbo in response to the decision to endorse him expressed confidence in their judgment and assured to live up to their expectation of him. In his address to the journalists after the meeting, Mr Ozigbo appreciated the decision of APPAS to support him as their sole candidate and said that the decision of APPAS to throw their weight behind his candidacy was a testament that he was “doing the right thing”. He exposed that he had gained more acceptance, both at the grass root and within the PDP, which was an evidence of the confidence placed on his ability to deliver.
Mr Valentine showed his dedication to public service by resigning from the post of the President and Group CEO of Transcorp Plc. to focus on the next chapter of his life.
