ANAMBRA 2021: Valentine Ozigbo Unveils Azuka Enemo As Running Mate...

.... As Peter Obi, PDP Leaders Move To Unite Party

Valentine Ozigbo, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) flag-bearer for the 2021 Anambra governorship election, has unveiled Mrs Azuka Enemo, a former Commissioner for Local Government Affairs in Anambra State, a seasoned administrator, and educationist, as his deputy. 

Mr Ozigbo made the revelation of Thursday, July 29, 2021, when he held a ground-breaking reconciliatory town hall meeting with the stakeholders of the PDP at all levels at Oma Event Center, Awka. 

At the well-attended occasion, Ozigbo appreciated stakeholders of the party, led by the National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, members of the Board of Trustees (BoT), National Working Committee (NWC), National Executive Committee (NEC), governors, aspirants, state, LGA and ward leaders and party faithful who have unanimously thrown their weight behind his candidacy. 

According to the multiple award-winning global CEO, there's no family without quarrels, and the PDP is not an exception. He acknowledged that some members are still aggrieved over the events leading up to the primary, but he urged everyone to unite and break the jinx that has bedevilled the party in the recent elections. 

"I thank everyone for their effort, support, and camaraderie. The primary is only 20% of the journey. The real battle begins now, and I implore all PDP members to be firm, passionate, and committed," Ozigbo remarked. 

"Since I declared as the party candidate, we spared nothing in making efforts to ensure peace and unify all of us. I thank many of my fellow aspirants for their show of sportsmanship so far, and I urge those who are still aggrieved to unite so we can go to the polls as one family.

"Many of these formidable aspirants have helped to energise the base of the party, and that effort cannot be in vain. I am banking on our collective strength as we approach the polls," Ozigbo, the immediate past President of Transcorp Plc, said.  

Addressing the court cases filed by aggrieved members of the party, Ozigbo assured the PDP family that it would be soon a thing of the past. He reminded them that he was one of the first candidates to receive his certificate of return and the first to have his name submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). 

"In INEC's records, there's only one PDP candidate - Valentine Ozigbo," he declared to loud cheers from the excited audience.  

"I am, therefore, charging members of the PDP to realise that the actual game is at the grassroots. This victory can only happen when we show commitment," Ozigbo added. 

In his remarks, the immediate past Governor of Anambra State and the Vice Presidential candidate of the PDP in the 2019 general election, Mr Peter Obi, echoed Ozigbo's words on the need for unity within the party. 

"Since Valentine Ozigbo won, I have joined him in his peace-building activities, and I am begging all the aggrieved parties to come together," Obi stated. 

"I can assure you that our candidate is the best among all others and cannot be compared to others. He's energetic, and we are ready to support him. I will be an active partner in ensuring we deliver Ozigbo to Agu Awka. I will be visible because I am committed to this project."

A member of the PDP NEC, Chief Okey Muo Aroh, urged Ndi Anambra to throw their weight behind Ozigbo as he represents the future of Anambra. According to Muo Aroh, who is a founding member of the PDP, "You have lost nothing if we support Val. In the end, if he wins, we will all get what is due to us."

Comrade Okey Asolo, the Deputy Chairman of the PDP in Anambra State, who spoke on behalf of the state working committee, remarked that the PDP's election is to win. He spoke glowingly of Mr Ozigbo's relationship with the party's leadership and urged the members of the party to rally support for Ozigbo in their locality to ensure victory for the party in the November 6 poll. 

Also addressing the gathering, the leader of the Board of Trustees (BoT) members in Anambra State, High Chief Senator Ben Ndi Obi, submitted that the PDP got it right with the choice of Ozigbo as the party's flag-bearer. 

"Ozigbo is fresh and has no bad record or scandal. He is quality material, and I implore us all to work together to ensure that he wins so he can bring the excellence he showcased in the corporate world in Anambra State," Senator Obi said. 

On his choice of Mrs Enemo as a running mate, Ozigbo stated that his choice is a testament to his commitment to women and the youths. 

"I have anchored my campaigns on youths and women. I am youthful and was looking out for a woman with the right combination of integrity, substance, and competence. I was also looking out for someone who is known and has electoral value," Ozigbo revealed. 

"A number of names were mentioned, but after we carried out due diligence, we zeroed in on someone who ticks all the boxes, and it is my singular honour to announce my running mate for the 2021 Anambra governorship election - Mrs Azuka Enemo," Ozigbo declared. His announcement of Enemo was greeted with joy and celebration, especially among the women present. 

In a brief speech, Mrs Enemo expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve Ndi Anambra.  

"I stand before you in total humility and gratitude to God. As we approach the election, let us come together and ensure we do our best for Ndi Anambra and humanity," Mrs Enemo said. 

In a symbolic move, a former Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Mr Emeka Anyaneto, put the pair of Ozigbo and Enemo up for a voice vote of confidence. In a show of total support, the hall was agog with resounding ayes and was dead silent when the nays were called. 

Mrs Azuka Enemo is a seasoned administrator, public servant, and academic. She has served as a Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy affairs under the administration of His Excellency Peter Obi.