A former chieftain of Labour Party cum aspirant in the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship race in Anambra, Mr Valentine Ozigbo has rejected the outcome of the party’s Primary election held at Prof Dora Akunyili Women Development Center in Awka on Saturday, April 5, 2025.
The rejection was contained in a statement he personally signed and made available to Journalists in Awka on Tuesday.
Ozigbo said he has also filed a formal petition before the APC Gubernatorial Primary Appeals Committee, alleging that the process that produced Mr Nicholas Ukachukwu as the party’s flag bearer was riddled with fraud, irregularities, and violations of democratic norms.
“Yesterday, I formally submitted a petition to the Appeals Committee of our great party, the APC. That exercise, by all observable standards, was a charade, a well-orchestrated heist designed to deliver a predetermined outcome,” Ozigbo wrote.
Citing widespread manipulation, voter exclusion, and non-transparency in vote counting, Ozigbo asserted that the process violated not only internal party rules but also the broader expectations of fairness and accountability in a democratic system.
Ozigbo, who joined the APC in February after a stint in the Labour Party and a 2021 governorship run under the PDP, said he positioned his protest as a defence for democratic values, not a personal grievance.
“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. The sham of April 5 was a fraud against me but more critically a theft against Ndi Anambra, “he added.
Political analysts say Ozigbo is widely regarded as one of the most formidable contenders in Anambra politics, boasting widespread youth support, a clean image, and a unique ability to bridge Nigeria’s corporate and political landscapes.
Analysts further claim that he is the only APC aspirant with a recent electoral base and cross-party appeal capable of unseating incumbent Governor Charles Soludo in the November election.
In a tone that was equal parts defiant and inspirational, Ozigbo affirmed his decision to remain within the APC and continue the fight from inside the party.
“I will not be distracted. I will not run to the Senate, nor will I pivot to another political opportunity for the sake of ambition. I will stand firm, here, in the APC, and I will fight this good fight to its just end,” he declared.
Rejecting political expediency, Ozigbo emphasised that his foray into politics has always been about service, not power.
“I am not a transactional politician. I seek power to make a difference, to restore dignity, create jobs, secure lives, and light a path for the next generation, ”he insisted.
Ozigbo invoked global and biblical liberation struggles from the U.S. Civil Rights Movement to Mandela’s long walk to freedom to frame his campaign as part of a larger battle for justice and transformation in Anambra State.
“Oppression always fights back before it breaks. That is what we are witnessing today: the dying kicks of a system scared of change. I warn party leaders that the future cannot be bribed or bullied. The people are watching. History is recording, ”he further declared.
Addressing the national leadership of the APC directly, Ozigbo urged the party to rectify what he described as a grave error, saying that this election is a defining moment, not just for Anambra, but for the credibility of the APC as a party and the soul of the nation.
He said that the party still has a chance to right the wrong and present a candidate who could truly win and govern.
He concluded the statement with his signature rallying cry “Ka Anambra Chawapu” translated as “Let Anambra Shine Brighter.”
As political tension builds in the state ahead of the November 2025 governorship election, all eyes now turn to the APC Appeals Committee to see whether the party will revisit the primary outcome or double down on a process its critics, led by Ozigbo, describe as fundamentally flawed.
Ozigbo in a public statement on the aftermath of the APC Anambra gubernatorial primary election held on April 5, 2025, said: “My dear friends, supporters, members of our great party, and Ndi Anambra, first, I give glory to God Almighty, the source of strength, grace, and clarity. In moments of darkness, His light always finds a way to shine through. His mercies endure and renew each day, and for that, I am profoundly grateful.
“Yesterday, I formally submitted a petition to the Appeals Committee of our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), challenging the so-called primary election conducted in Anambra on April 5, 2025. That exercise, by all observable standards, was a charade, a well-orchestrated heist designed to deliver a predetermined outcome.
“The facts are now public: non-party members populated the delegate list; genuine party faithful were locked out or violently barred from voting; accreditation was either skipped or manipulated; and votes were counted 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.
“Now, many are asking, ‘Val, what next?’ My answer is simple and unshaken: I will stay the course. I did not join politics to decorate the register, receive accolades, or shop for appointments. I came to be part of a generation that restores integrity to our political system, that makes governance accountable, and that builds the kind of country we all deserve.
“My mission is clear. It is to serve Ndi Anambra with humility, vision, and excellence. That mission began long before April 5, and it will continue far beyond the treachery of that day.
“Thus, I will not be distracted. I will not run to the Senate, nor will I pivot to another political opportunity for the sake of ambition. I will stand firm, here, in the APC, and I will fight this good fight to its just end because Ndi Anambra is worth it and our democracy is worth it.
“History teaches us that freedom is never freely given, it is fought for. The Civil Rights Movement in the United States, Nelson Mandela’s long walk to freedom, Moses leading the children of Israel out of Egypt, Nigeria’s own fight for independence from the British, all remind us that oppression always fights back before it breaks. That is what we are witnessing today: the dying kicks of a system scared of change. But Anambra must change for good. And it will.
“Let me be clear: I am not a transactional politician. I do not seek power for its own sake. I seek it to make a difference, restore dignity, create jobs, secure lives, and light a path for the next generation. The sham of April 5 was not just a fraud against me; it was a theft against Ndi Anambra.
“To the architects of that manipulation, I say this; the future cannot be bribed or bullied. The people are watching. History is recording.
“To our supporters, the dreamers, the believers, the Valiants, and the tireless builders of this Movement I say: keep your heads up. Our mission continues. Stay strong. Stay hopeful. We will not back down. We will not break.
“Let us remind the APC that this election is a defining moment, not just for Anambra, but for the credibility of our party and the soul of our nation. The party still has a chance to right this wrong and present a candidate who can truly win and govern,” Ozigbo concluded.
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