Victor EzejaPeoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the 2021 Anambra governorship election, Valentine Ozigbo has declared his support for the Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, and also announced his intention to quit the party.
He made this known through a statement issued on Thursday, August 18, 2022, stating that the decision is based on his conviction that Mr. Obi has the capability to deliver good governance when elected in 2023 and save Nigeria from the precipice of economic, political and security crisis.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelOzigbo who also appeared on the Arise TV evening programme, ‘The Arise Interview’ on Thursday, revealed that his decision to resign from the PDP was based on the need to ensure that at this precarious time in Nigeria’s history a competent and visionary leader was elected to lead the nation into a better future.
According to him, Nigerians have been split into two categories: “those working to sustain the status quo and those uncomfortable with the status quo and want to bring positive change.”
“I belong to the group that is uncomfortable with the status quo, and we must do what we have to do to save this country and set us on the path of progress,” Ozigbo stated.
In the statement titled “2023: A Watershed Moment for Nigeria”, Ozigbo stressed the need for the country to depart from the political fashion of retaining what he called the “old brigade of politicians” to allow people with a progressive mindset, which according to him, Obi has.
Part of the statement reads, “There comes a defining moment in the life of any country when all people of good conscience must stand up to be counted. Those times offer no middle ground; you are either on the dark side or on the side of the light.
“For Nigeria, 2023 is such a moment. Nigerians will be divided into two classes – those who will work to entrench the forces that have destroyed Nigeria or those warriors of the light who will work to bring justice, equity, and peace to our beloved country. And next year, as we go to the polls to elect a new president, there will be no fences to sit on.”
While endorsing Obi’s candidacy, Ozigbo described him as a leader with “the right vision for this country, the temperance, and the capacity and experience to take Nigeria out of these troubled waters and lead us to a land of promise.”
“His Excellency, Peter Obi was the governor of my home state of Anambra for eight years. The groundswell of support that his candidacy is receiving from Anambra, the South East, and the entire country is based mainly on the revolutionary, inclusive, and inspiring leadership he demonstrated as a governor,” Ozigbo declared.
He described the former Anambra governor’s achievements in the private sector saying, “Before he was 40 years, Peter Obi had created an enviable mark in the private sector. A multiple-award-winning banker, entrepreneur, and globally trained business leader, Obi took the helm of Anambra State after a long fight for justice.
“Eight years later, he had completely transformed the leadership culture in Anambra with his style of down-to-earth grassroots engagement, prudential management of resources, and keen vision for qualitative transformation.
“Peter Obi is the Nigerian politician I have the utmost respect for. Having worked with him closely during my governorship campaign in 2021, I can attest that Obi is a thoughtful, kind, and generous leader who seeks excellence in all he does.
“After spending many months working with this phenomenal human, I am convinced that he has an abiding love for Nigeria and all Nigerians.
“He has the right vision for this country, the temperance, and the capacity and experience to take Nigeria out of these troubled waters and lead us to a land of promise.”
The successful business leader commended Obi’s choice of Dr. Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed as his running mate for the 2023 presidential election, noting that it is going to be “an unbeatable presidential ticket, and they deserve the support of all well-meaning Nigerians.”
“Pulled by the brilliance of the candidacy of Peter Obi and Yusuf Datti, inspired by the passion of the Nigerian youth, and driven by an undying love for Nigeria, I, Valentine Ozigbo, at this moment, formally join the Obi-dient Movement.
“From what I know about His Excellency Peter Obi, if we join our hearts and hands and elect him as our next president, I can guarantee that he will be the best president Nigeria has ever had. I genuinely believe that his emergence has divine inspiration,” Ozigbo remarked.
He called on all Nigerians to give the Obi and his team massive support to transform the people’s dreams into reality. “We must get it right in 2023; we can and we must,” Ozigbo asserted.
He applauded the Nigerian youths for their sense of patriotism and boldness in deciding this time to choose a leader that will lead the country for the next four years.
“Fuelled by an undying love for country and a burning passion for changing Nigeria, the youth have risen boldly and intentionally to get their voices heard,” Ozigbo said as he celebrated the Nigerian youth.
“They have rejected the lust for power of politicians that ought to be in retirement. They have consciously chosen who they want to lead them into the next four years.
“They considered fairness, justice, and equity. They have adopted a bold vision of a country where every kind of Nigerian is carried along irrespective of beliefs, faith, tribe, language, gender, and social status.
“They are committed to seeing that peace returns to Nigeria and that we experience the true promise of our founding fathers.
“Our country has never seen this level of passion in the youth. Instead of criticism and unfair attacks, these courageous and gifted youth deserve the support and encouragement of all Nigerians.
“The Obi-dient Movement cannot be ignored, shamed, or waved away. It is the fastest growing and biggest political movement in Nigeria today.
“The forces that have imprisoned the dreams of the younger generations of this country are terrified because they know the unstoppable power of the youth,” Ozigbo declared.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
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