Anambra 2021: PDP Unveils National Campaign Council

… Ikpeazu Chairs Council, Okowa Serves As Deputy

The Peoples Democratic Party has announced a National Campaign Council to support the candidacy of its flag-bearer, Valentine Ozigbo.

The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Kola Ologbondiyan, announced that its National Working Committee (NWC) had approved the appointment of a team made up of 145 members for the assignment.

According to Ologbondiyan, the Chairman of the Campaign Council is Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, while the Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa will serve as the Deputy Chairman.

A former Aviation Minister, Chief Osita Chidoka is to serve as the Secretary to the Council.

The PDP named 10 other governors as members of the Council.

They are Governor Aminu Tambuwal, the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum who is the governor of Sokoto State; Governors Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom), Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Diri Duoye (Bayelsa), Samuel Ortom (Benue), Godwin Obaseki (Edo), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), and Darious Ishaku (Taraba).

Ologbondiyan said, “The November 6, Anambra guber elections is expected to be keenly contested, and the PDP, by this move, is laying the grounds for the party to win the election and bring home the trophy.

“We promised a robust campaign based on the issues affecting the people of Anambra. This is just one more step by our party demonstrating to Nigerians, especially, Ndi Anambra that we are focused, ready, and committed to doing with it takes to rescue them from the atrocious government offered by the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), and the All Progressives Congress (APC).”

Other heavyweights appointed as the Council members are the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe; immediate past Governor of Anambra, Peter Obi; PDP BoT member, Senator Ben Ndi Obi; former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu; a former Health Minister, Professor ABC Nwosu; PDP BoT member and a former Women Affairs Minister, Senator Josephine Anenih; the Vice Chairman of the PDP (South East), Chief Ali Odefa; a PDP National Executive Committee member, Chief Barrister Okey Muo-Aroh; a former Aviation Minister and former Nigerian Ambassador to Ireland, Dr Kema Chikwe; Minority leader in the House of Representatives, Hon Ndudi Elumelu; and Hon Boma Goodhead; among others.

Reacting to this development, Mr Valentine Ozigbo, said it was a strategic move by the NWC of the party.

He expressed confidence in the leadership of governors Ikpeazu and Okowa and their capacity to deliver on the party’s expectations.

He said, “I am thrilled at the announcement of the Anambra State National Campaign Council by my party, the PDP. I am confident in the leadership, capacities, and competencies of His Excellencies, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State and Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State to inspire and empower the team to win the November election.

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“I consider it an honour and privilege to have such dignified men and women of our great party come together to help actualise our Ka Anambra Chawapu vision for the people of Anambra. I thank and commend our party’s national leadership for their vision and foresight. I also commend and thank all the PDP governors for all they have done and will do to make sure that the dreams and yearnings of the people of Anambra for a credible governor and change in fortunes comes to pass. May God bless them all.”

Ozigbo is the immediate past President and Group Chief Executive Officer of Transcorp Plc.