In the theater of Nigerian politics, where optics often outweigh substance, Mr. Valentine Ozigbo’s recent outing at the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary in Anambra State on April 5, 2025, stands as a masterclass in self-inflicted wounds.
The man who once carried the flag of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2021 Anambra governorship race, and later flirted with the Labour Party, found himself humbled two days ago, securing a paltry 67 votes in a contest that saw Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu roar to victory with 1,455 votes.
But beyond the numbers lies a deeper story—one of hubris, misjudgment, and a baffling disconnect from the very people he sought to lead.
Ozigbo’s campaign took a particularly bewildering turn when he chose to flaunt a photo opportunity with Mujidat Folasade Tinubu-Ojo, the Iyaloja General of Nigeria and daughter of President Bola Tinubu. The image, widely circulated and accompanied by his glowing remarks about their discussion on “challenges and solutions for Nigeria’s women and traders,” was meant to signal influence, perhaps even endorsement.
Instead, it landed like a lead balloon in Anambra, a state fiercely protective of its autonomy and wary of external meddling.
For a man vying to preside over the collective destiny of Ndi Anambra, snapping pictures with Tinubu’s daughter was not just a misstep—it was an egregious insult.
What was Ozigbo thinking? Did he believe that cozying up to Lagos royalty would endear him to a people whose economic lifeblood flows through the bustling markets of Onitsha, Nnewi, and Awka?
Anambra’s traders, a formidable force in the state’s socio-political fabric, are not known for bowing to distant powers. The Onitsha Main Market, a commercial juggernaut, is a symbol of Igbo resilience and ingenuity—not a fiefdom to be handed over to an outsider, let alone one tied to the Tinubu dynasty.
By parading that photo, Ozigbo seemed to imply that, if victorious, he might cede control of Anambra’s economic soul to the Iyaloja General.
It’s a notion so absurd it borders on farce, yet the symbolism was enough to alienate voters and party delegates alike.
This wasn’t just a tactical error; it was a betrayal of the Anambra spirit. Ozigbo, a former corporate titan at Transcorp Plc, should have known better. His political journey—hopping from PDP to Labour Party to APC—already painted him as a man untethered to principle, a perennial aspirant chasing power rather than purpose.
But the Tinubu daughter episode crystallized the perception that he’s out of touch, a candidate more comfortable in Abuja’s elite circles than in the dusty streets of Nkpor or the crowded stalls of Eke Awka.
Anambra’s electorate, sophisticated and unforgiving, does not suffer such disconnect lightly.
The primary results speak volumes. While Ukachukwu’s landslide victory reflects a candidate who resonated with the APC faithful, Ozigbo’s dismal 67 votes—out of over 1,500 cast—suggest a resounding rejection.
Posts on X captured the sentiment with biting humor: one user quipped, “Tinubu daughter no save you again? Lmao,” while another called him “the inconsistent politician” destined to “remain aspirant.”
The mockery underscores a brutal truth: Ozigbo’s gambit not only failed to sway delegates but turned him into a punchline.
Perhaps Ozigbo saw the photo as a shrewd move to signal alignment with the APC’s national power brokers. After all, he had defected to the party in February 2025, touting “progressive governance” and a desire to work with “forward-thinking leaders.”
But Anambra is not Lagos, and the APC’s foothold in the state remains tenuous, overshadowed by the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and its incumbent governor, Charles Soludo. To win here, a candidate must embody local aspirations, not parade borrowed clout from the Southwest.
Ozigbo’s overture to Tinubu’s daughter was a misreading of that reality—a fatal flaw in a state where pride and self-reliance are non-negotiable.
What’s next for Mr. Ozigbo? He may retreat to lick his wounds, perhaps penning a complaint to the Iyaloja General about his electoral misfortune.
But the lesson is clear: political success in Anambra cannot be outsourced or photo-shopped. It demands authenticity, not imported endorsements.
Ozigbo’s bad outing two days ago wasn’t just a loss at the polls; it was a public unmasking of a man who forgot the first rule of leadership—know your people. Until he learns that, he’ll remain what he’s always been: a candidate in search of a constituency, snapping pictures while his ambitions fade.
