Anambra APC Ticket: The Stakes Have Never Been Higher

Anambra APC Ticket: The Stakes Have Never Been Higher

As the All Progressives Congress (APC) prepares for the critical primary in Anambra State on April 5, it is clear that this election carries unprecedented significance. This is not just another contest; it is an opportunity for the APC to reshape the political landscape of the South-East, consolidate the progressive ideals championed by President Bola Tinubu, and prove that the party is ready to govern competently and credibly in regions where it has historically struggled….READ MORE….

The November 2025 Anambra governorship election is the final off-cycle gubernatorial election before the 2027 general elections. It represents a crucial test of the APC’s growth in the South-East and serves as a referendum on the party’s ability to provide unifying leadership beyond its traditional strongholds. To succeed, the APC must field a strong, strategic, and widely accepted candidate—Valentine Ozigbo.

While all aspirants may have good intentions for Anambra, Ozigbo stands out as the ideal candidate for the party. There have been rumors that Ozigbo is a supporter of Labour Party’s Peter Obi, but these claims are unfounded. If there are moles for Obi, they are more likely to be in states that he won during the 2023 election. Ozigbo’s potential victory in the Anambra governorship election will not necessarily translate into significant votes for Obi in the 2027 presidential race.

While I have great respect for Governor C.C. Soludo, he is not a member of the APC. In politics, party loyalty is paramount, and Ozigbo, having previously been part of the PDP, LP, and now APC, is well-versed in the political landscape. He has contested elections and has experience that is unmatched by other aspirants in the APC.

Ozigbo’s journey is nothing short of remarkable. From humble beginnings in Amesi, Aguata Local Government Area, he rose to become a prominent corporate leader, philanthropist, and unifier. He excelled as the best graduating student at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and went on to lead one of Nigeria’s most successful corporations, Transcorp Plc. As Managing Director of Transcorp Hilton Abuja, he oversaw a major renovation that transformed the hotel into a premier business destination in Africa.

His decision to enter politics in 2020 was a conscious choice to leave behind the corporate world and serve the public. In 2021, he ran under the PDP banner and emerged as a strong contender, finishing a close second despite facing the combined forces of the federal and state governments, entrenched political structures, and financial disadvantages.

Since then, Ozigbo has remained at the center of Anambra’s political dialogue. He played a key role in the Obidient Movement in 2023, mobilizing the youth and middle-class voters across the South-East. His recent defection to the APC has created a fresh opportunity for the party, bringing with him not only his established political network but also the credibility and support he has garnered across various political factions.

In a state where factors such as zoning, religious alignment, and public acceptability are crucial, Ozigbo outperforms other APC aspirants. A confidential evaluation by the APC has placed him at the top, scoring 74 percent in key metrics, including zoning, religious support, and public popularity, even surpassing Governor Soludo in recent grassroots surveys.

Ozigbo is not a transactional politician; he is a bridge-builder who focuses on people-centered leadership. His defection to the APC has unified previously divided political factions in Anambra. If the APC is serious about securing a historic victory in the South-East, it must support Ozigbo, who has the ability to unify disparate political interests.

Ozigbo’s leadership vision for Anambra is well-defined, with a clear economic plan centered on digital economy, youth empowerment, security, and infrastructure development. His commitment to youth empowerment is evident in his VCO Foundation, where he has invested N400 million in partnership with Decagon Institute to sponsor 100 Anambra youths in software engineering, offering them opportunities to escape unemployment and poverty.

Unlike his rivals, Ozigbo has a strong grassroots movement and the ability to transcend party lines. In the 2021 election, he outperformed the APC candidate, and today, he brings his political strength and the support of thousands who believe in his leadership. His self-funded campaign eliminates financial burdens for the party and is a testament to his clean political record and cosmopolitan background.

As the APC looks ahead to the November election, the party must decide whether to choose a candidate who can win the primary or one who can win the election. The difference is crucial.

The people of Anambra are seeking a new kind of leadership—one that goes beyond slogans and delivers tangible results. Valentine Ozigbo embodies this vision. For the APC, he is not only the safest choice; he is the most strategic one.

President Bola Tinubu values talent, and now is the time for the APC to tap into this potential to avoid the crisis currently facing the PDP. The road to Anambra’s future begins with the right choice on April 5, and that choice is Valentine Ozigbo.