Valentine Ozigbo, a governorship aspirant under the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Anambra State, has vehemently rejected the results of the party’s recent primary election, labeling it as a “charade and a fraud.”
The primary, held on Saturday, saw Nicholas Ukachukwu, a former House of Representatives member, win with 1,455 votes, while Ozigbo secured only 67 votes. Other aspirants, Edozie Madu and Johnbosco Onunkwo, garnered eight and 26 votes, respectively.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Ozigbo, a former CEO of Transnational Corporation of Nigeria, revealed that he had filed a formal petition to the APC appeal committee, challenging the validity of the election.
He alleged several irregularities during the primary, including:
- The use of non-party members as delegates
- Violent obstruction of genuine party members
- Skipped or manipulated accreditation processes
- Opaque vote counting without transparency
“This is not just about me. It is about the soul of our democracy. About the values we claim to represent. About the future we owe our children,” Ozigbo asserted.
Despite the controversy, Ozigbo reaffirmed his commitment to his cause and expressed that he remained “unshaken” by the outcome. He emphasized that he did not enter politics for recognition or appointments, but to restore integrity to the political system, ensure accountable governance, and build a better future for the country.
He also made it clear that he had no plans to defect or seek alternative political opportunities, stating, “I will stand firm here in the APC, and I will fight this good fight to its just end. Because Ndi Anambra are worth it. Because our democracy is worth it.”
Describing the primary as “a theft against Ndi Anambra,” Ozigbo urged the party to correct the process and ensure that a candidate capable of winning and governing is selected for the Anambra gubernatorial election, calling it a crucial moment for both Anambra and the credibility of the APC.
