There has been jubilation in the air as Valentine Ozigbo, a former Chief Executive Officer of Transcorp Corporations emerged the gubernatorial flagbearer of the Peoples Democratic Party in Anambra State.
In a keenly contested primary election, Valentine Ozigbo polled a total of 62 votes out of 218 votes to beat his closet rival Dr. Obiora Okonkwo who polled 58 votes while Senator Uche Ekwunife came 3rd with 44 votes.
2 votes were voided.
The full result is as follows:
Hon. Chris Azubuogu (10 votes)
Mrs. Genevieve Ekwochi (3 votes)
Barrister Emeka Etiaba SAN (Stepped down)
Senator Uche Ekwunife (44)
Chief Goddy Ezeemo
Chief Johnny Maduafokwa
Dr. Godwin Maduka (5 votes)
Dr. Tony Nwoye (Stepped down)
Chief Chuma Nzeribe
Walter Ubaka Okeke (2 votes)
Dr. Obiora Okonkwo (58 votes)
Dr. Ifedi Okwenna (1 vote)
Lady Chidi Onyemelukwe (2 votes)
Mr. Valentine Ozigbo (62)
Senator Ugochukwu Uba
Dr. Winston Udeh (12)
Some candidates withdrew from the primary in protest at the party’s new delegate list, which was announced by the National Working Committee.
Furthermore, a faction of the party had staged its own primary in Awka, which produced Ugochukwu Uba as its own candidate.
Mr. Ozigbo defeated a number of contenders, including Uche Ukwunife, a sitting senator who was considered a strong contender in the Anambra governorship race. Ekwunife received 44 votes and finished third in the late-night Saturday primary.
With 58 votes, Obiora Okonkwo, a rich businessman, came in second.
From 2019 until 2020, Mr. Ozigbo served as the president and chief executive officer of Transnational Corporation of Nigeria Plc (Transcorp).
In Nigeria, he has worked for a number of banks, including Diamond Bank and the United Bank for Africa.
Mr. Ozigbo will face Charles Soludo, a former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, in the November 6 governorship election in the state, who is a candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
