Blog

Anambra Guber: Ozigbo’s Defection Doesn’t Alter Existing Political Situation in the State

While I acknowledge that anyone can decide to move in any political direction they wish, permit me to disagree with anyone claiming that Val Ozigbo’s defection from the Labour Party to APC has any real political effects that can alter the existing political landscape in the state ahead of the November 2025 Anambra State governorship election.

Governor Soludo won’t feel threatened by Val Ozigbo, as Ozigbo has little influence in the politics of the state. The little support he garnered during the 2021 governorship election was due to Peter Obi and the PDP.

He does not have the personal aura that can attract people to the point of altering the existing political equation in the state. While I respect Val Ozigbo’s defection, I am only analyzing the politics and perception of his move.

Val Ozigbo is from the same LGA as Soludo and can’t reduce votes from Soludo to his new party.

Again, as for the Labour Party that Val Ozigbo left, he did not bring any known value to the party in the state, and his leaving won’t be an issue for the party. Val Ozigbo’s zone, for example, is where his former party, LP, performed the worst in the last general election in Anambra State. His zone was the only one where the Labour Party did not win a single House of Assembly or National Assembly seat in the entire state, despite Ozigbo being seen as a leader of the party in both the state and the zone when he joined.

As for Ozigbo’s emotional speech while announcing his defection and his mention of justice, I have the following to say:

1. Val Ozigbo lacks the locus to talk about justice in politics. He was made the PDP governorship candidate in 2021 through the infamous ‘super delegates’ system when he could not have come near the primary election under his now ‘born again justice’ pronouncements!

2. Val Ozigbo, I learned, expected the LP governorship candidate ticket, but the question they must have considered against him would be: What is he bringing to the table?

Is it political capital? He doesn’t have that.

Is it loyalty to the leader of his former political party and presidential candidate, Peter Obi, who made sure he won the PDP governorship ticket in 2021 against all odds? Mba! When Obi defected from PDP to contest the presidential election under LP, Ozigbo stayed back in PDP, where he lobbied first to be made the party leader in Anambra State and later to be made the senatorial candidate of PDP for Anambra South zone. When all that failed, he then joined Peter Obi in LP.

Is it wider acceptability across the state? Ozigbo doesn’t have that.

Is it public policy conversation on Anambra State? Ozigbo doesn’t have that advantage.

Is it deep pockets? Ozigbo doesn’t have that.

Is it a history of election victories? Ozigbo doesn’t have them.

So, basically, Ozigbo is not bringing anything special to the table to make anyone believe that his former party would hand him the party ticket.

My submission is that Val Ozigbo’s defection doesn’t worry Governor Soludo-led APGA and also won’t bother his immediate former party LP or add any special political advantage to his new party, APC in Anambra State.

But again, I wish him the best.

Just my view opinion though…

– Ikechukwu Emeka Onyia II

February 21, 2025

As political dynamics in Anambra State continue to evolve ahead of the 2025 governorship elections, a significant shift has occurred with the defection of Valentine Ozigbo from the Labour Party (LP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Ozigbo’s move has sparked heated debate among political observers and stakeholders in the state. However, upon careful analysis, it becomes evident that his defection is unlikely to alter the existing political situation in the state, nor does it pose a serious threat to the dominance of Governor Charles Soludo and his party, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

While I respect Ozigbo’s right to make a political move, the reality is that his departure from the Labour Party and joining the APC will not significantly impact the balance of power in Anambra State. It’s essential to understand that the political landscape in Anambra is shaped by deep-rooted party affiliations, influence, and local dynamics that extend beyond individual defections.

One of the key points often raised in discussions about Ozigbo’s defection is the supposed threat it poses to Governor Soludo. However, I firmly believe that Ozigbo’s move does not significantly alter the existing political situation or cause any real concern for Soludo and his APGA party.

Governor Soludo, who has been in office since March 2022, has steadily consolidated his political base and enjoys significant support among the people of Anambra State. His party, APGA, remains a formidable force in the state, and Soludo’s leadership is seen as a stabilizing influence in Anambra politics. Ozigbo, on the other hand, has struggled to establish a distinct political identity that could challenge this political structure.

Ozigbo’s limited impact during the 2021 Anambra governorship election is a testament to his inability to generate the kind of broad-based support that would allow him to pose a serious challenge to Soludo’s political dominance. His performance in the election was largely influenced by the backing of Peter Obi and the PDP, rather than any personal political capital. Without this external support, Ozigbo’s ability to sway voters on his own is questionable.

Furthermore, Ozigbo hails from the same local government area as Soludo, and it is highly unlikely that his defection will siphon votes from Soludo’s base in this region. The support that Ozigbo garnered during his time in the Labour Party was largely the result of external factors and party affiliations, not because of any personal political aura or grassroots popularity that could rival Soludo’s hold on Anambra

Another key point of contention is the impact of Ozigbo’s defection on the Labour Party. Some have argued that his departure would deal a significant blow to the party in Anambra, but upon closer examination, this claim appears to be overstated.

Ozigbo’s departure from LP is unlikely to have a lasting negative effect on the party’s standing in Anambra. The Labour Party’s performance in the state’s last general election is a strong indication of the limited political influence Ozigbo brought to the table. In fact, Ozigbo’s zone—the area he hails from—was the only region in Anambra where the Labour Party failed to secure any House of Assembly or National Assembly seats. This poor performance highlights the reality that Ozigbo’s presence in the Labour Party did not translate into a substantial political advantage for the party in the state.

The Labour Party’s prospects in Anambra will not be significantly diminished by Ozigbo’s exit, as the party has other key figures who can fill the void left by his defection. Furthermore, the party remains aligned with the political ideology of Peter Obi, whose influence continues to resonate with a significant portion of Anambra’s electorate. Ozigbo’s departure, while notable, does not deal a fatal blow to the Labour Party’s prospects in the state.

While Ozigbo’s emotional speech during his defection announcement, where he mentioned justice, may have resonated with some, it’s important to acknowledge the political realities that underlie his move. Ozigbo’s defection to the APC does not signal a significant shift in Anambra’s political landscape.

For one, Ozigbo lacks the political capital necessary to make a real impact in the APC. He does not have the widespread acceptability or the kind of influence that could cause a seismic shift in the state’s political dynamics. Despite his background in business and his previous gubernatorial bid, Ozigbo has not demonstrated the kind of leadership or grassroots mobilization that can alter the course of an election.

Moreover, Ozigbo’s political trajectory has been marked by inconsistency. He moved from the PDP, where he was made the party’s gubernatorial candidate in 2021 through the controversial ‘super delegates’ system, to the Labour Party, and now to the APC. This political wanderlust raises questions about his true loyalty and the motivations behind his decisions. While he may have made emotional appeals for justice, the fact remains that Ozigbo’s political career has largely been driven by opportunistic moves rather than any long-standing political ideology or commitment to the people of Anambra.

The key question surrounding Ozigbo’s defection is: What does he bring to the APC that could potentially alter the political equation in Anambra?

The answer is, frankly, not much. Ozigbo has no significant political capital to offer the APC in Anambra. He lacks the kind of deep grassroots support that would make him a formidable contender in the upcoming gubernatorial election. Furthermore, his previous attempts at political office have not yielded the kind of success or widespread appeal that would give the APC any substantial advantage in the state.

While Ozigbo’s financial resources may be an asset to his new party, they alone are not enough to secure electoral success in a state like Anambra, where political allegiances are often influenced by deep-rooted cultural and regional factors. The APC’s prospects in Anambra will depend on a host of factors, including party unity, local support, and the ability to connect with voters on a personal level—factors that Ozigbo has yet to demonstrate he can deliver.

In conclusion, Valentine Ozigbo’s defection from the Labour Party to the APC does not alter the existing political situation in Anambra State. Governor Soludo’s APGA remains firmly in control, and Ozigbo’s move is unlikely to significantly impact the balance of power in the state. While Ozigbo’s defection may cause ripples within political circles, it will not threaten Soludo’s leadership or diminish the influence of the APGA in the upcoming governorship election.

Ozigbo’s political journey has been marked by inconsistency and a lack of a clear political ideology. His defection to the APC may be seen as a personal move, but it does not bring any real advantage to his new party, nor does it diminish the political strength of the existing political structure in Anambra.

As the political landscape in Anambra continues to evolve, it is important to keep in mind that electoral success will depend on more than just individual defections. Voters in Anambra will ultimately decide who they believe is best suited to lead the state, and Ozigbo’s defection is unlikely to play a decisive role in that decision-making process.

This analysis, based on current political realities, suggests that the status quo in Anambra remains unchanged despite Ozigbo’s defection. While I wish him the best in his new political journey, it’s clear that the upcoming 2025 governorship election will be determined by more than just individual defections—it will be decided by the political party that can best connect with the electorate and offer a vision for the future of Anambra State.

Excerpt from  Ikechukwu Emeka Onyia II

Anambra Guber: Ozigbo’s Defection Doesn’t Alter Existing Political Situation in the State

… His move doesn’t threaten Soludo and doesn’t reduce anything from Obi.

While I acknowledge that anyone can decide to move in any political direction they wish, permit me to disagree with anyone claiming that Val Ozigbo’s defection from the Labour Party to APC has any real political effects that can alter the existing political landscape in the state ahead of the November 2025 Anambra State governorship election.

Governor Soludo won’t feel threatened by Val Ozigbo, as Ozigbo has little influence in the politics of the state. The little support he garnered during the 2021 governorship election was due to Peter Obi and the PDP.

He does not have the personal aura that can attract people to the point of altering the existing political equation in the state. While I respect Val Ozigbo’s defection, I am only analyzing the politics and perception of his move.

Val Ozigbo is from the same LGA as Soludo and can’t reduce votes from Soludo to his new party.

Again, as for the Labour Party that Val Ozigbo left, he did not bring any known value to the party in the state, and his leaving won’t be an issue for the party. Val Ozigbo’s zone, for example, is where his former party, LP, performed the worst in the last general election in Anambra State. His zone was the only one where the Labour Party did not win a single House of Assembly or National Assembly seat in the entire state, despite Ozigbo being seen as a leader of the party in both the state and the zone when he joined.

As for Ozigbo’s emotional speech while announcing his defection and his mention of justice, I have the following to say:

1. Val Ozigbo lacks the locus to talk about justice in politics. He was made the PDP governorship candidate in 2021 through the infamous ‘super delegates’ system when he could not have come near the primary election under his now ‘born again justice’ pronouncements!

2. Val Ozigbo, I learned, expected the LP governorship candidate ticket, but the question they must have considered against him would be: What is he bringing to the table?

Is it political capital? He doesn’t have that.

Is it loyalty to the leader of his former political party and presidential candidate, Peter Obi, who made sure he won the PDP governorship ticket in 2021 against all odds? Mba! When Obi defected from PDP to contest the presidential election under LP, Ozigbo stayed back in PDP, where he lobbied first to be made the party leader in Anambra State and later to be made the senatorial candidate of PDP for Anambra South zone. When all that failed, he then joined Peter Obi in LP.

Is it wider acceptability across the state? Ozigbo doesn’t have that.

Is it public policy conversation on Anambra State? Ozigbo doesn’t have that advantage.

Is it deep pockets? Ozigbo doesn’t have that.

Is it a history of election victories? Ozigbo doesn’t have them.

So, basically, Ozigbo is not bringing anything special to the table to make anyone believe that his former party would hand him the party ticket.

My submission is that Val Ozigbo’s defection doesn’t worry Governor Soludo-led APGA and also won’t bother his immediate former party LP or add any special political advantage to his new party, APC in Anambra State.

But again, I wish him the best.

Just my view opinion though…

– Ikechukwu Emeka Onyia II

February 21, 2025