Did Ozigbo Betrays Obi? Shocking Reasons He Abandoned Labour Party for APC

In a move that has sent ripples across political circles, Valentine Ozigbo, a former Labour Party (LP) chieftain and governorship aspirant in Anambra State, has declared that he has no regrets abandoning the LP for the All Progressives Congress (APC), despite failing to clinch the APC ticket in the party's primaries.

Ozigbo, who had once enjoyed significant grassroots support as a flag-bearer for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2021 Anambra gubernatorial election, said he exited the Labour Party because of what he described as "uncomfortable developmentsÔÇØ within the party's structure.

Speaking during a live interview on Arise Television's The Morning Show on Friday, the embattled politician offered a controversial defense for his defection, insisting that his decision was not motivated by desperation, but rather a "noble missionÔÇØ to align Anambra State with Nigeria's ruling political structure.

"I have no regrets whatsoever,ÔÇØ he declared confidently, brushing aside concerns about jumping ship ahead of the APC primaries - a contest he ultimately lost to Nicholas Ukachukwu.

"Labour Party Is DysfunctionalÔÇØ - Ozigbo Fires Shots at LP

Explaining his reasons, Ozigbo noted that he had weighed all options across political parties and concluded that the LP - a party he recently joined amidst the rising influence of Peter Obi - was too chaotic and lacked the internal mechanisms to resolve issues.

"Some parties are just dysfunctional. I put all the options on the table, I prayed about it, I consulted, but I didn't see hope,ÔÇØ he said.

He added that his switch to the APC was the only viable path to "connecting Anambra to the centerÔÇØ and delivering real governance benefits to the people.

"There are only two options in Nigeria today: be in the mainstream and create change, or remain in a broken opposition. I chose the mainstream,ÔÇØ he emphasized.

Political Realignment or Political Convenience?

Ozigbo's defection - and the timing of it - has stirred speculation that his move may have been calculated to win favour in the corridors of federal power, especially after failing to make an impact as a PDP candidate in 2021 and being sidelined in the LP.

While he admitted that some political defections are based on selfish ambitions, he insisted that his was not one of them.

"Some reasons for defection are noble, some are not. But mine is purely about putting Anambra first. I joined the APC because I believe it can secure victory, defend the mandate, and deliver true democracy,ÔÇØ he said.

With this controversial realignment, questions remain about Ozigbo's political future and whether his gamble with the APC will eventually pay off - especially after losing the primary to a candidate who has already begun consolidating support.