By Sunday Ani
Former candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2021 governorship election in Anambra State, Valentine Ozigbo, has decried the level of insecurity in Anambra State, saying it is unacceptable.
Ozigbo, who has declared his intention to contest the governorship election in Anambra in November 2025 on the platform of the Labour Party (LP), made his position known at a recent town hall meeting in Lagos to discuss the state and way forward for the good of Anambra State and South East region.
He noted that apart from the failure of the current government in the state led by Professor Chukwuma Soludo to secure life and property of the people, the highhandedness and insensitivity of the governor to the plight of the people as well as the paucity of law and order in the state was a big source of concern to the people of Anambra.
According to him, he has decided to throw his heart in the ring again to rescue the people of Anambra State, and by extension the entire South East, from the frightening insecurity which has prevented many people from visiting their homeland, particularly during the Christmas period.
“The level of insecurity is horrendous, and there is not even any hope; there is no sign that something good is going to come out of this administration as far as security is concerned.
“Beyond that, the highhandedness; the Akodo syndrome and the paucity of law and order are apparent. The question is: Who in Anambra is happy? Which institution is happy? Which department is happy? Hardly would find any; so Anambra people are not happy and this is part of the discussion today. Let’s hear from those in Lagos. Are people happy with how Anambra is? How many of you are going home for Christmas? Are you excited to go home? Are you perturbed; are you worried; are you concerned? And that is the conversation. So, the truth of the matter is that our people are haemorrhaging. They are totally sad; very sad,” he said.
Sounding optimistic of victory at the November 2025 polls, Ozigbo said he has held a series of town hall meetings with the people of Anambra State in 14 cities in North America, the US and Canada, and recently, embarked on another 18–city tour in Europe and the outcome has been so encouraging
He noted that he has also held such meetings across major cities in Nigeria, including Anambra State where the meeting is an ongoing event, and the response has been wonderful.
“The outcome of different engagement has been very exciting; I am encouraged. I am seeing, first, people being upset about the status quo. Secondly, people’s resolve to challenge and change the status quo. And thirdly, people are already seeing me as a credible alternative. So, what I have seen so far is very encouraging,” he said.
On his plan to contain the power of incumbency and address the fear about the neutrality of the Independence National Electoral Commission (INEC), the judiciary and the security agencies, he said no incumbency power, INEC, judiciary or security agent could thwart the will of the people once they are resolved to change the status quo.
“Should we then fold our hands because there is power of incumbency or because you think INEC is corrupt or the judiciary has been compromised? Should we allow them to continue for second and even third terms?
“The point I am making here is that if the people decide that this is what they want, there is no INEC that can stop them; there is no judiciary that can stop them. Let us get the Anambra people to decide first and let us see the INEC that will stand in their way. That’s all I can say about that,” he submitted.