Valentine Ozigbo, a prominent governorship aspirant in Anambra State and former Labour Party (LP) chieftain, has taken a swipe at Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, over his handling of the ongoing leadership crisis plaguing the party.
Speaking during an interview on Arise Television on Tuesday, Ozigbo, who recently defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), expressed deep dissatisfaction with the internal wrangling and leadership vacuum within the Labour Party. He lamented that Peter Obi failed to rise to the occasion at a critical moment when decisive leadership was needed to stabilize the party.
According to Ozigbo, the leadership crisis and prolonged legal battles within the LP signaled to him that the party was on a downward trajectory, and he could no longer afford to remain part of what he described as a “failing enterprise.”
Labour Party Lacks Strategic Leadership – Ozigbo
Clarifying his reasons for leaving the LP, Ozigbo dismissed claims that his decision was influenced by personal grievances with Peter Obi. He stated that his defection was based on broader concerns regarding the party’s organizational structure and leadership failures.
“I had issues with the Labour Party. By extension, I expected Peter Obi to take proactive measures to resolve those issues,” Ozigbo said. “Perhaps he had his reasons for not acting in the manner I expected. However, I can’t continue to associate with a party that is evidently struggling. I had to move on.”
He added, “I believed the Labour Party could have been better managed and more effectively led. Unfortunately, that has not been the case.”
Ozigbo and Obi Charting Separate Political Courses
Despite their political divergence, Ozigbo emphasized that he maintains a respectful and cordial relationship with Peter Obi. He noted that their political ambitions now follow different timelines and goals.
“Peter Obi is focused on 2027, working on coalition building and national strategies under the Labour Party banner. On the other hand, I am concentrating on the 2025 Anambra governorship race as a member of the APC,” he said. “We simply have different political missions now, and that’s why I chose my own path.”
Ozigbo’s Move to APC: What It Means for Anambra Politics
Valentine Ozigbo’s defection to the APC is seen by many as a significant development ahead of the 2025 gubernatorial election in Anambra State. His move could potentially reshape the political dynamics in the state, where the APC has been striving to gain stronger footholds.
Political analysts suggest that Ozigbo’s experience, combined with the national structure of the APC, could position him as a formidable contender in the race for Anambra’s top seat.
