Anambra guber: Ozigbo emerges PDP guber candidate, defeats Ekunife, Obiora, others

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

Former Group Chief Executive Officer, CEO, of Transcorp Plc, Mr Valentine Ozigbo has emerged as the flag bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for the November 6, this year’s governorship election in Anambra State.
Ozigbo emerged as the PDP candidate for the election in the party’s primaries conducted at the weekend in Awka, the Anambra State capital.
Ozigbo, who polled 62 votes at the primaries in which the super delegates method was adopted, defeated his nearest contender, Obiora Okonkwo, owner of United Nigeria Airlines, who scored 58 votes.
The Secretary of the PDP primary committee and Deputy Governor of Edo State, Comrade Philip Shaibu declared the result at the end of the exercise held at the Dora Akunyili Women Development Committee Awka, the state capital.
A serving Senator, Mrs Uche Ekwunife came third with 44 votes.
Other aspirants and their scores are:
Walter Okeke, 2 votes, Chidi Onyemelukwe, 2votes, Winston Udeh, 12 votes, Godwin Maduka, 5 votes, Chris Azubogu, 10 votes and Genevieve Ekwochi, 3 votes.
Three votes were voided.
Some of the sixteen candidates who picked the PDP governorship nomination and expression of interest form had withdrawn from the race few hours to the primary.
Immediately after the primary, some of the aspirants congratulated Ozigbo, pledging to work with him towards ensuring victory for the party in the November 6 election in the State.
One of the aspirants and daughter former Vice President, Dr Alex Ekwueme, Lady Chidi Onyemelukwe, while congratulating Ozigbo said the people have spoken and she has accepted the outcome of the primary.
According to Onyemelukwe, “I congratulate my friend and brother ‘Valentine Chineto Ozigbo on his emergence as the flag bearer of our great party for the Nov. 6 Anambra State Gubernatorial Election.
“The people have spoken, God has spoken. Now, our main journey as the PDP family to the seat of government house Awka starts in earnest.
“I enjoin our entire PDP family to put hands together to ensure that this becomes a reality come November 6, 2021. It is long overdue.Together we can, and together we will!”, she said.
Another aspirant, Dr Ifenna Okwedi also congratulated the winner and pledged his support.
Similarly, the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu has congratulated Ozigbo, on his emergence as the flag bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the November 6, 2021 Anambra governorship election.