Valentine Ozigbo, a respected Nigerian business leader and the leading contender for the Anambra governorship, was on Monday, March 11, 2025, officially cleared by the All Progressives Congress (APC) Screening Committee, becoming the first aspirant to receive approval to contest in the party’s primaries.
The announcement, made at the APC National Headquarters in Abuja, marks a significant milestone in Ozigbo’s gubernatorial journey, solidifying his position as a key figure in the battle for Anambra’s leadership.
A STEP FORWARD IN THE APC PRIMARY
Ozigbo, who has steadily built momentum since his entry into the race, described his clearance as “providential,” expressing gratitude to the party’s leadership for overseeing a transparent and rigorous screening process.
“What an incredible honour to be the first aspirant to receive a clean bill of health to contest for the Anambra Governorship Primary of our great party, APC!” Ozigbo said in a statement following the announcement.
“Some may call it coincidence — I call it providence.”
He extended appreciation to the APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the National Secretary, Barr. Ajibola Basiru, and other members of the National Working Committee (NWC) and Screening Committee, led by Barr. Ibrahim Shehu Shema, for their role in facilitating the process.
*OZIGBO’S RISING POLITICAL TRAJECTORY*
Ozigbo’s rapid ascent in Anambra politics has drawn national attention, particularly following his defection to the APC and the launch of the Valiant Movement, a tech and youth-driven grassroots political action front aimed at mobilising Ndi Anambra for the 2025 election.
Since stepping away from a distinguished corporate career, including his tenure as President and Group CEO of Transcorp Plc, Ozigbo has positioned himself as a unifying force with a vision for economic transformation, infrastructure development, and security reform in Anambra State.
His strategic political manoeuvres have strengthened his grassroots appeal, with analysts noting that his leadership style and campaign approach have redefined engagement within the APC in Anambra.
*LOOKING AHEAD TO THE PRIMARIES*
With his clearance secured, Ozigbo now turns his focus to the next phase of the APC primaries, where he will compete for the party’s ticket to challenge the incumbent administration in the 2025 gubernatorial election.
“This is just the beginning of this historic quest to actualise our grand vision of a truly transformed Anambra,” he stated.
As the race for the APC ticket intensifies, Ozigbo’s early clearance and growing support base position him as a formidable contender, setting the stage for what is expected to be a high-stakes political contest in Anambra.
