Peoples Democratic Party’s governorship candidate in the 2021 Anambra State election, Mr. Valentine Ozigbo, has pledged to dethrone Governor Prof. Chukwuma Soludo in the upcoming 2025 gubernatorial election in the state. Ozigbo, now vying for the Labour Party ticket, made this declaration while welcoming over 300 defectors from the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) into the Labour Party, led by Pius Igwilo, the APGA aspirant for Ogbaru 1 Constituency in the 2023 general elections, along with other party leaders including Member of the House of Representatives, Afam Ogene.
The defectors, predominantly APGA members from Ogbaru Local Government Area, comprised former local government chairpersons, ward chairmen, women leaders, and key stakeholders. Speaking at the reception held at the Holiday Resort field in Onitsha, Ozigbo expressed confidence in the growing momentum of party switchovers from other political factions to the Labour Party, envisioning triumphs for the party in future elections at various levels.
He urged the new entrants to act as “fishers of men,” persuading members of other political parties in their wards to join the Labour Party, which he termed as the “moving train.” Ozigbo reiterated his determination to lead the Labour Party to victory in the 2025 gubernatorial election, asserting that Governor Soludo’s tenure had been marked by disappointment and failure to meet the expectations of Anambra residents.
Afam Ogene echoed Ozigbo’s sentiments, emphasizing the need to join the Labour Party due to APGA’s shortcomings under Soludo’s leadership, including unfulfilled campaign promises such as the failure to conduct local government elections. Pius Igwilo affirmed their decision to defect from APGA, citing disillusionment with the party’s governance and Soludo’s inability to deliver on his commitments.
The defectors vowed to support Ozigbo and the Labour Party’s quest to bring about positive change in Anambra State, signaling a united front in their aspiration to usher in a new era of effective governance and progress for the state.
