Ozigbo explains exit from LP, says leaders of Obidient Movement sabotaged his efforts

By Ifeizu Joe 

Governorship aspirant of All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Valentine Ozigbo has explained why he left the Labour Party for APC.

The explanation came in a post he made on social media.

Excerpts:

Many people have asked: “Val, why did you leave the Labour Party?” “Why APC?” And more… Some asked with curiosity, some with disappointment, and some, unfortunately, with anger. I understand all three. But truth demands context.

What I am about to state here, I had stated before. But for emphasis and to achieve closure, I see the need to revisit them again.

Here is the truth:

At the height of the Labour Party’s momentum in Anambra — when the energy of the Obidient family was at its peak and hope was alive in our streets — I was not only present; I was fully committed. I was the only governorship aspirant openly endorsed by the Labour Party grassroots executives in Anambra. The entire Obidient leadership in Anambra and Nigeria stood with me. I personally funded the largest Obidient gathering ever held in Nigeria — in Onitsha — without seeking reimbursement or applause. I did it because I believed deeply in the promise of that moment and in the power of our collective future.

There was an independent online poll at the time. Two questions were asked:

1. Who should Ndi Anambra support for governor in 2025?

93% chose my candidacy. The sitting governor polled under 4%.

2. Who should the Labour Party field as its candidate?

95% voted in my favour. The remaining aspirants shared 5%.

Even with every reasonable margin of error, the message was unmistakable: we had overwhelming support from the grassroots, independents, youth, professionals, and the conscience of the state.

So, what then happened?

I witnessed a level of betrayal and sabotage within the Labour Party top leadership (not the grassroots) unlike anything I had encountered in public life. Out of respect for institutions and for the sake of unity, I have avoided recounting every detail. But the truth remains: a deliberate effort was made at the leadership level to stop my candidacy at all costs.

I did everything honourable and lawful to uphold fairness. All I asked for was a transparent process — a level playing field, not a coronation. Yet what unfolded revealed a troubling reality: the very culture we condemned in other parties had taken root there, and in some cases, even deeper.

Those who truly pay attention know what I endured. And when I finally chose to leave, the reaction spoke louder than words. Instead of concern, there was relief among certain leaders in Anambra. That alone should tell any honest observer that something fundamental had gone wrong — not with me, but with the people who ran the party, eventually, aground.

I could have stayed to continue the fight from within, but I had long realized that in the process of chasing me out, they ended up crippling the party itself—out of selfishness and short-sightedness.

Let us be honest: if we truly want to rescue Anambra from the current administration, only two political platforms had the structure and reach to achieve that—Labour Party and APC. With Labour Party weakened beyond repair, only the APC remained a viable option. That was why I made the difficult but necessary decision to join the APC—not for personal gain, but for the love of Anambra.

My trials intensified after that decision. Those who once opposed me in the Labour Party began to whisper falsehoods, creating the narrative that I had become a mole in the APC. It was a painful irony — attacked where I left, and doubted where I arrived — yet I remained focused.

From screening, to the primaries, to the High Court, the Court of Appeal, and ultimately the Supreme Court, I walked through fire. Not because I sought office at all cost, but because I refused to compromise the soul of our dear state. I fought not for personal ambition, but for fairness, for dignity, and for the future of Anambra.

So, I am sharing this message today not out of grievance. Instead, it is one of gratitude. Gratitude that I stood without compromise.
Grateful that I still have peace in my soul.
Grateful that the love I hold for this land remains unshaken.

Here are my three prayers to God:
1. Lord, let me never betray the trust of my people, nor bow where truth demands we stand. Therefore, Lord, give me more courage to always do what is right, even if not popular
2. Lord, forgive and bless those who misunderstood or attacked me; let their hearts find light, not anger.
3. Lord, do not abandon Anambra or Nigeria — complete Your work in us.