As Anambra State prepares for its 2025 gubernatorial election, Valentine Chineto Ozigbo, a leading candidate, has declared that no institution, whether the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) or the judiciary, can stand in the way of the will of the people. Ozigbo, a former president and CEO of Transnational Corporation of Nigeria (Transcorp), made the bold statement while speaking to a crowd of supporters and stakeholders during a recent town hall meeting in Lagos.
Ozigbo, who previously contested the governorship election under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2021, has now shifted his political allegiance to the Labour Party (LP) for the 2025 race. He believes the people of Anambra are dissatisfied with the current administration and are seeking credible alternatives for leadership.
Ozigbo’s candidacy is gaining traction across Anambra, with many feeling let down by the leadership of Governor Charles Soludo. According to Ozigbo, Soludo’s administration has failed to address the serious issues facing the state, particularly insecurity. “Anambra people are not happy,” Ozigbo stated. “The security situation is horrendous, and there is no hope that things will improve under this current administration.”
He expressed his belief that leadership in Anambra requires not just competence but emotional intelligence and compassion—qualities he feels are lacking in the current governor. “The current governor doesn’t listen to anybody. He thinks he knows it all, and this is evident in his actions,” Ozigbo said. “There is no compassion; there’s nothing to show that the governor is concerned about the state’s challenges.”
Ozigbo’s words resonated deeply with the audience. Many attendees expressed frustration with the perceived lack of leadership, especially in light of rising insecurity. “Anambra is bleeding,” one attendee remarked. “We need someone who understands the situation and is ready to bring real change.”
Ozigbo’s quest for the governorship has already seen him embark on an extensive tour of both Nigeria and the diaspora. He recently completed a town hall meeting in Lagos, which was part of a broader effort to engage with Anambra people both locally and abroad.
Having already visited 31 cities, including major stops in North America and Europe, Ozigbo is determined to hear from the people of Anambra, especially those who have been forced to live outside the state due to the growing insecurity. “What happens in Anambra doesn’t just affect the people here, but also Ndi Igbo across the globe,” Ozigbo noted. “The deteriorating situation in Anambra has a ripple effect on the entire South-East and Nigeria.”
Ozigbo has also held discussions with key stakeholders to formulate strategies for free and fair elections in 2025. He has emphasized the importance of unity and coalition-building, citing the need to bring together like-minded people from different political parties to work towards a common goal.
“I am talking to people across different parties—PDP, APC, APGA, YPP—because we need a united front to redeem Anambra,” he said. “One party cannot do it alone.”
Ozigbo’s criticisms of Governor Soludo’s leadership style are not only rooted in the state’s security issues but also in the broader governance challenges Anambra faces. He pointed out that leadership requires not just knowledge but the ability to understand and respond to the concerns of the people.
“Leadership is about emotional intelligence,” Ozigbo explained. “It’s about being humble enough to listen, to show compassion, and to care for the people you lead. Without that, you can’t govern effectively.”
Ozigbo contrasted his approach to Soludo’s, claiming that the current governor lacks empathy and the ability to connect with the people. He cited the recent abduction of a prominent archbishop in the state, noting that Soludo had not made any public statements about the incident.
“The people are suffering, and their pain is ignored,” Ozigbo lamented. “How can you lead a people if you don’t show that you care about their pain? That’s what’s missing in Anambra right now.”
Despite concerns about the role of INEC, the judiciary, and the security forces, Ozigbo remains confident that the will of the people will prevail in 2025. He strongly believes that no institution, however powerful, can override the people’s decision. “If the people decide that this is what they want, there is no INEC or judiciary that can stop them,” Ozigbo asserted. “We must remain resolute and ensure that the people’s voice is heard.”
This message of defiance has resonated with many Anambra residents, particularly those who feel that previous elections have been marred by manipulation and fraud. “We want a governor who will listen to us, not one who imposes his will on us,” one attendee said at the Lagos town hall meeting.
Ozigbo’s message of hope and unity is gaining momentum, as more and more Anambra residents are rallying behind his vision for a better state. His calls for a united front to challenge the status quo are being echoed by many in the state who feel abandoned by the current leadership.
