Politics
Anambra Poll: Ozigbo Harps On Rescue Mission
The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the forthcoming governorship election in Anambra State, Mr. Valentine Ozigbo, says Anambra people must rise now to rescue their state.
Ozigbo, who was addressing party supporters in Anambra State during a reception by members of his party to welcome him to the state, after his recent victory at the Court of Appeal in Abuja, which led to his name being published as the candidate of the party by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), said the state had collapsed.
The candidate said: “Entering Anambra, I had first-hand experience of the decay in the state with the terrible condition of the road in Amansea. That road is an example of the dearth of infrastructure in Anambra.
“There’s nothing to be proud of in Anambra. Roads are bad, healthcare is non-existent, education is moribund, security is at an all-time low, add this to the state’s debt profile, and you will agree that Anambra needs a total overhaul.
“If we don’t start now, we might never get it right. Our freedom must begin now. November 6 is our date with history, and we are ready to march to victory. I call on Anambra people to rise up and rescue their state,” Ozigbo added.
The candidate while speaking further thanked the people for the rousing welcome they gave him, while stating that he is now convinced that the entire party structure and all the prominent politicians in the state from the party are now united behind him.
“I want to thank all of you for finding the time to come to welcome me. Yesterday, we recorded several victories. First, the National Assembly Caucus of the PDP came together to pledge unanimous support for this project (his aspiration).
“My sister and brothers Senator Uche Ekwunife, Hon. Chuchu Onyema, Hon. Chris Azubogu, Hon. Obinna Chidoka, Hon. Chinedu Onwuaso, met in the presence of Governors Aminu Tambuwal and Udom Emmanuel for this purpose. I am grateful to all of them.
“Second, the entirety of the PDP Governors announced that they are solidly supporting this cause and would provide all the necessary resources to ensure that we win this election”.
“Also, INEC has published our name as the PDP candidate for the election after a period of uncertainty.
“Despite their (opposing faction) loss at the Appeal Court, our detractors attempted to obtain an order for a stay of execution on the judgement. Unfortunately for them, the court threw out their prayer and affirmed Valentine Ozigbo and Owelle Azuka Enemo as the PDP flag-bearers.
“Finally, at the party’s National Secretariat in Wadata House, the entirety of the PDP leadership, National Executive Committee, National Working Committee, and Governors from all the zones gathered to inaugurate a powerful 179-member National Campaign Council to execute the election.
“Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State is the Chairman of the Council, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State is his Deputy. At the same time, our brother, Osita Chidoka, will be the Secretary of the Council.
“All the PDP Governors are members of the Council. This is our election to win, and by God’s grace, we will march to Agu Awka (Government House). It is time for us to show Ndi Anambra the way to go,” Ozigbo said.
The Tide source reports that the committee, reportedly backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, is making moves to reclaim the Wadata Plaza headquarters months after it was sealed following a violent clash between rival factions of the party.
Senior officers at the FCT Police Command told our source that while they had not received an official briefing, police personnel would be stationed at the secretariat and other key locations to maintain peace.
The Acting National Secretary of the Mohammed-led committee, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu, announced last week that the secretariat would reopen for official activities on Monday (today).
He dismissed claims that ongoing litigation would prevent the reopening, saying, “There are no legal barriers preventing the caretaker committee from resuming work at the party’s headquarters.”
However, the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC) has fiercely rejected the reopening move, insisting that Sen. Anyanwu and his group remain expelled from the PDP and have no authority to act on its behalf.
Speaking with The Tide source, the committee’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, declared: “They are living in fool’s paradise. The worst form of deceit is self-deceit, where the person knows he is deceiving himself yet continues with gusto.
“Even INEC, which they claim has recognised them, has denied them. They are indulging in a roller coaster of self-deceit.”
Mr Ememobong further revealed that letters had been sent to both the Inspector-General of Police and the FCT Commissioner of Police, stressing that the matter was still in court and warning against any attempt to “resort to self-help.”
“The case pending before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik was instituted by the expelled members. They cannot resort to self-help until judgment is delivered,” he said.
He warned that reopening the secretariat would amount to contempt of court.
A senior officer at the FCT Police Command, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that officers would be deployed to the area to avert a repeat of the November 19 violence that led to the secretariat’s initial closure.
“The command would not stand by and allow a breakdown of peace and order by the party or anyone else. Definitely, the police will have to be on the ground,” he said.
Another officer added, “There will definitely be men present at the secretariat, but I can’t say the number of police officers that would be deployed.”
When contacted, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, said she had not been briefed on the planned reopening and declined to comment on whether officers would be deployed.
Asked to confirm whether the secretariat was initially sealed by police, she responded, “Yes,” but refused to say more about the current deployment plans.
The Kano State House of Assembly has debunked the purported impeachment plan against the Deputy Governor, Aminu Gwarzo.
The Tide source recalls that the Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Waiya, recently sparked controversy during an interview session with a local radio station.
Mr Waiya called on the deputy governor to resign for failing to follow his principal, Gov. Abba Yusuf, in defecting from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
However, the spokesperson to the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Kamaluddeen Shawai, while addressing journalists in Kano on Saturday, described reports circulating in some media outlets about Mr Gwarzo’s impeachment as baseless and misleading, emphasising that no such plan is underway.
Mr Shawai further stated that the House remains focused on its legislative duties and oversight functions rather than engaging in speculative political manoeuvres.
The spokesperson urged members of the public and the media to verify information before sharing it, stressing the importance of accurate reporting in maintaining political stability in the state.
He said, “There is absolutely no motion or initiative within the House to remove the deputy governor.
“These reports are false and should be disregarded by the public. The deputy governor continues to serve in his capacity with full support from the House.
“Our priority is good governance and serving the people of Kano, not circulating rumours.”
She made the declaration during an interview with Nigerian football legend, Mr Segun Odegbami, during a live radio interview on Saturday.
Prof. Obasanjo, who is also former commissioner in the state, ruled out a return to the Senate, stating that her focus was firmly on the governorship race.
“So, moving ahead, I’m not going to be Commissioner. Like I said, I’m not even going back to the same party because I think that’s old and I don’t see the use of it. And I’m not going to go back to the Senate,” she said.
“Like the Americans would say, there’s no need. And this is what I told my associates, when this all started. I said, the only thing I’ll come back to do is the governorship.
“And we have started that journey. We are going to see it through. And so that’s the journey I’m on. And we are very serious about it. I mean we are very dedicated to it.”
The politician also confirmed that she recently joined the APC, explaining that her return to active politics followed persistent calls from supporters.
“Like I told you, a group of people who I did not bring together, have been working, I think, for two years now. And then they started talking to me about a year ago, saying, ‘Look, we think you are the best candidate. We want you back,’” she added.
Her declaration sets the stage for what may become a keenly contested governorship race in Ogun State ahead of the 2027 elections.
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