By Gabriel Chy Alonta
People’s Democratic Party (PDP) flagbearer for November 6 Anambra governorship election, Mr. Valentine Ozigbo, says his administration would foster bilateral relation with Delta and other states in the South East region.
Ozigbo made the assertion after he was officially endorsed by Anambra Indigenes living in neighbouring Delta State in a town hall meeting, Monday.
Addressing the audience at Asaba, the Delta state capital, the business mogul noted that Anambra and Delta States are dependent on each other for economic reasons and could expand bilateral relations to maximise their economic potential.
“In terms of economy, Anambra has as close a bond with Delta State as with other southeastern states. If we maximise the economic potential of the Onitsha-Asaba axis alone, we could establish one of Nigeria’s biggest micro-economies,” Ozigbo said.
According to Ozigbo, it is imperative that PDP wins the November 6 election because it will also aid the political integration of both states and boost confidence in the Party ahead of the 2023 presidential election.
“I want us to also see this election as an opportunity to set Anambra on a new path of advancement. We must take our campaigns to the doorsteps of Anambra people and ensure that our people become ambassadors of the Ka Anambra Chawapu message.
“I know the power of the grassroots, and I’m banking on your support. We’re coming to bring development that will positively touch the State and effect change in every area of the Anambra’s economy –so that wherever you are, you’ll be proud to say that you’re from Anambra state.
“The key to effective change is electing transformational leaders who possess the combination of character, compassion, capacity, competence and commitment”, he added.
While endorsing Ozigbo, the Chairman of the Igbo Forum in Asaba, Chief Chinedu Obodo, said that Ozigbo had excelled everywhere he worked and is best positioned to replicate the same in Anambra State.
“We singled out Valentine Ozigbo from other candidates because we need a new Anambra and the PDP candidate has shown enough to provide it,” Obodo said.
“This election provides us with the opportunity to tell ourselves the bitter truth that we need somebody with proven integrity to lead us to the Promised Land, and that person is Mr Valentine Ozigbo.
“The welfare of Igbo people lies in Anambra State. If Anambra gets it right, Igboland will experience transformation. Ndi Igbo in Delta State want Ozigbo to take over the helm of affairs because his Ka Anambra Chawapu Manifesto has the keys to unlock the potentials of the state,” he added.
In her remarks, Lady Chidi Onyemelukwe, the deputy governorship candidate of the PDP in the 2017 election, described Valentine Ozigbo as the perfect candidate, urging people of Anambra in Delta to mobilise their people to support Ozigbo towards becoming the next governor.
Similarly, the convener of Ozigbo Vanguard, Sir Izuchukwu Oraelosi, in his vote of thanks commended people of Anambra in Asaba for their massive turn up, stressing that their presence made a powerful statement of acceptance.
Hon Obinna Chidoka, the lawmaker representing Idemili North and Idemili South Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, urged the Anambra people in Delta State to mobilise and return home in November and vote for Ozigbo.
The event is the latest in a series of town hall engagements with people of Anambra outside the southeastern states following similar successful events in Lagos, Abuja, Enugu, Rivers, Ebonyi, and Abia States.
It was hosted by a support group, Friends of Val Ozigbo, in the Delta State capital and had over 600 in attendance.