Valentine Ozigbo, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the 2021 Anambra governorship election, has expressed his gratitude to his party's leadership and fellow aspirants following the conduct of the party’s state primary election held on Saturday, June 26, 2021.

Ozigbo, a respected business leader, polled most of the votes cast by the automatic delegates at the PDP primary held at the Prof Dora Akunyili Center, Awka, to emerge as the party's party flagbearer for the gubernatorial election scheduled for November 6, 2021.

In a statement issued from his campaign office in Udoka Estate, Awka, Ozigbo maintained that the outcome of the primary marks “a significant turning point in the history of Anambra State”.

Ozigbo thanked leaders of the party, including Peter Obi, the Vice Presidential Candidate of the PDP in the 2019 general election, Prince Uche Secondus, the National Chairman of the PDP, “for acting as worthy gatekeepers of an era of national unity, stability, and a celebration of democracy”.

“I thank our leader, a capable, respected, and inspired leader – one of the best governors Nigeria has ever produced – the former Vice Presidential candidate of our party, His Excellency, Former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi,” Ozigbo said.

“I also want to thank the leader of our party, the National Chairman of the PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, for leading us into a new era of national unity, stability, and a celebration of democracy.

“My profound gratitude goes to the first democratically elected governor of Anambra State, His Excellency Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife, Okwadike Ndigbo, for his fatherly love, blessings, and wisdom that he shared with me on this journey. God bless you abundantly, Sir,” Ozigbo said.

Ozigbo, who is the immediate past President and Group CEO of Transcorp PLC, thanked God Almighty for making his victory at the primary possible. He appreciated the other fifteen aspirants who were in the race. Describing them as worthy contenders, he said that he looks forward to working with them to actualise an Anambra where possibilities are endless.

“I thank my fellow aspirants for a dogged campaign. I appreciate all of them for their contribution to the internal democracy of our great party,” Ozigbo said.

“I look forward to working with them to ensure that the great promise of our party is actualised, and together, we lead the PDP to victory in November.

“I congratulate every single member of the PDP for the display of unity. Today, we have demonstrated to the world that our party is one of the strongest pillars and defenders of our democracy,” Ozigbo added.

He also thanked members of the party for ensuring a free, fair, and transparent process that demonstrated the unifying power of democracy.

Ozigbo, an award-winning global CEO, extended his gratitude to His Excellency Phillip Shuaibu, the Deputy Governor of Edo State and the rest of the electoral committee for their service to the party.

“I thank the delegates of our great party - whether you were an automatic delegate who voted today, our statutory delegates, and our ad-hoc delegates who did not vote. Your collective will and your support made today’s victory possible. I promise that I will not disappoint you,” the PDP flagbearer added.

“I thank all the brave men and women of the VCO Campaign Organisation for catching the vision in its early stage. Your commitment, dedication, and passion for our Ka Anambra Chawapu movement is the reason we are now unstoppable. God bless you all.

“Finally, I thank my wife, Ojiugo. She is the pillar of our family. Without her love, support, and prayers, this would not have been possible.”

Valentine Ozigbo is one of Nigeria’s most recognisable philanthropists and sports developers on the continent. He is the Chairman of Feet ‘N’ Tricks International, Africa’s largest promoters of freestyle football and the exclusive hosts of the annual Nigerian Freestyle Football Championship and the African Freestyle Football Championship.

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