Ozigbo Accuses Soludo of Sabotaging APC Primaries, Says Anambra Will Witness a Political Shift in 2025

 

A frontline aspirant for the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship ticket in Anambra State, Valentine Ozigbo, has launched a blistering critique of Governor Chukwuma Soludo, alleging that the incumbent manipulated the party’s recent primaries to ensure the emergence of a weak candidate. Speaking in an interview monitored by BusinessDay, Ozigbo questioned the integrity of the APC’s primary election held on April 6, which produced Nicholas Ukachukwu as the flagbearer.

He described the primary process as flawed from inception, alleging that it was hijacked by political forces, including Governor Soludo, who he believes is working covertly to undermine the APC from within.

Ozigbo, who contested the 2021 Anambra gubernatorial election under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), noted that his foray into the APC was to inject purpose and structure into the party. According to him, the circumstances surrounding the primary election were suspicious and demoralizing. “Immediately after the delegate congress, a new list emerged from nowhere, and the entire process was derailed. It was a clear attempt to frustrate credible aspirants, which led to the withdrawal of three prominent contenders,” he lamented.

His criticism extends to the emergence of Nicholas Ukachukwu, whom he claims was not even eligible to contest the primaries. “I will prove in court that Ukachukwu was unqualified. The APC leadership cannot ignore these red flags,” Ozigbo declared, adding that he has concrete intelligence suggesting Soludo's involvement in influencing the outcome of the primary.

He believes Soludo’s alleged interference is driven by fear. “Soludo is afraid of seeing me on the ballot because he knows he can't defeat me. That’s the simple truth,” he asserted. He claimed that APC would win the November 2025 election if he is allowed to carry the party’s flag, asserting that his candidacy would galvanize voters and change the political dynamics in the state.

Ozigbo also clarified his controversial move from the Labour Party to the APC, defending his decision as strategic and necessary for the development of Anambra. Drawing a vivid analogy, he described the Labour Party as “two knives — one sharp without a handle and one with a handle but not sharp.” He added, “The Labour Party is not what many people believe it to be. It is collapsing under the weight of internal crises and litigation.”

While acknowledging his support for Peter Obi during the 2023 general elections, Ozigbo emphasized that his decision to exit the Labour Party was prompted by systemic dysfunction and leadership failure. He also pointed to the legal battles surrounding Julius Abure’s position in the Labour Party as another reason for his departure, stating that remaining in the party under such uncertainty would jeopardize his political ambition.

On his relationship with Peter Obi, he confirmed there was no personal fallout, but he expressed disappointment that Obi did not take decisive steps to resolve the ongoing issues within the Labour Party. “I expected him to lead with more decisiveness. But I couldn't stay in a system that is unraveling,” he said.

Ozigbo dismissed assertions that his defection to the APC was a solo move, insisting that his entry into the party generated widespread attention and momentum. “When I moved to APC, it was all over the media. But when Ukachukwu moved just a month earlier, nobody took notice. That tells you something,” he said.

As the political climate in Anambra continues to heat up ahead of the 2025 polls, Ozigbo is positioning himself as a reformist within the APC, emphasizing that the party has gained ground in the state due to his influence. He argued that the days of Soludo and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) are numbered. “APGA is fading. Even Soludo’s assertion that APC doesn’t exist in Anambra is outdated. The APC is alive and rising.”

He also refuted claims that his ambition was merely transactional and aimed at receiving political compensation from the federal government. “I’m not a transactional politician. I cannot be bought,” he said, noting that his primary focus is on delivering impactful governance to the people of Anambra.

Highlighting his concerns about Soludo’s administration, Ozigbo accused the governor of mismanaging the state’s finances, alleging that Anambra now has more debt than under any other previous administration. “I have documents from civil society groups to back this claim,” he said, further criticizing what he called Soludo’s “arrogant” leadership style.

As he prepares for a legal showdown over the APC primary results, Ozigbo remains adamant that his political journey is far from over. He maintained that his candidacy represents the best chance for the APC to unseat Soludo and end what he views as APGA’s diminishing grip on Anambra’s governance.

“Give me the ticket, and we’ll not just win the votes — we’ll win the hearts of the people,” he concluded.