Uche Amunike
Former Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki has congratulated Mr Valentine Ozigbo, winner of the gubernatorial primary election held by the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) in Anambra state, June 26.
In a statement signed on his behalf by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, the former Senate President also appealed to PDP stakeholders to throw their weight round Ozigbo in order to see that he wins in the forthcoming November 6 election.
He further stated that Ozigbo’s emergence from such a keenly contested primary election will no doubt be unfavorable to some quarters but also urged him to be magnanimous in victory and promptly begin to reach out to all his co-aspirants in order to see that they work together as a team for the greater victory in the gubernatorial polls.
Said he: ‘Ozigbo must let all his co-aspirants know that there is ‘no victor and no vanquished’ in the just concluded primary election. The victory is for our great party and his immediate efforts should be geared towards convincing all that he is a team player and ready to work with them to ensure victory for the party that can best represent the interest of Anambra people’.
‘I have spoken to some of our leaders in Anambra State on the need for us to work together as one united, indivisible team in the coming campaigns and I am particularly happy and impressed by their disposition. They are ready to bring all on board and get PDP to reclaim Anambra State.
‘I am further appealing to all our stakeholders in Anambra State that we should remember that this is a time we need to place the interest of the country, state and party above our individual interests. The party can only field one candidate despite the fact that as the foremost political platform in the state, all its aspirants are qualified and capable’.
‘Now that the primary process has been completed, we have to move round to talk to all our stakeholders, make necessary reconciliation and give more assurance. Anambra State is naturally a PDP State. We need to use the November election to re-affirm this’.
‘This election is important for us to re-assure the people that PDP and its candidate will work tirelessly to ensure that Anambra claims its rightful position as a leading state in Nigeria, the one that can create a prosperous, developed and conducive atmosphere for all residents’, he stated.
Recall that Mr Ozigbo emerged as PDP candidate, June 26, after polling the highest votes in Awka Anambra state. He won with 62 votes, beating his closest contender, Obiora Okonkwo who scored 58 votes. Senator Uche Ekwunife came third with 44 votes.
He is the immediate Past President and Group CEO of Transcorp PLC. He is also, chairman of Feet ‘N’ Tricks International, Africa’s largest promoters of freestyle football. A company that has the sole right to organize the Nigerian Freestyle Football Championship and the African Freestyle Football Championship.
