Ozigbo: Tinubu Alone Can Restructure Nigeria

Lagos, Nigeria – In a recent interview that has sparked widespread discussion across Nigeria’s political landscape, prominent businessman and politician Valentine Chineto Ozigbo has declared President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the only leader with the boldness to restructure the country.

Ozigbo, who defected from the Labour Party (LP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) earlier last year, criticized former LP presidential candidate Peter Obi for failing to unify the party, leading to electoral setbacks in several states.

Ozigbo, a former governorship aspirant in Anambra State, expressed his disappointment with the LP, stating, “I was hoping that the Labour Party was going to be the alternative but I went through the Labour Party, I now discovered they were even worse than the parties they were criticising and some of the people in leadership including Mr Peter Obi, for me, failed that leadership test because he couldn’t galvanise the Labour Party that’s why you see the losses in various states. Even in my own case, I was literally sacrificed for whatever reason. I saw this coming and I couldn’t believe it.”

He further emphasized his preference for engaging within the APC, saying, “Some of us don’t like the ways of the APC but it is better for me to be inside there and engage them to do better. It is better to be with serious people than to be with unserious people.”

As previously reported by NaijaChoice News, Ozigbo’s defection to the APC in February 2025 sent shockwaves through political circles, particularly among Obi’s supporters, known as the “Obidients.” The move was described by some as a betrayal, with the LP accusing him of disloyalty. Ozigbo, however, has repeatedly stated he has no regrets, asserting that he aims to inspire change from within the ruling party. He has also speculated that Obi himself might leave the LP ahead of the 2027 elections.

Ozigbo’s background adds weight to his comments. A successful entrepreneur and founder of the VCO Foundation, he ran as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the 2021 Anambra governorship election before aligning with Obi and the LP for the 2023 presidential campaign, where he served as a special adviser on technology and strategic alliances.

His shift to the APC has been seen by analysts as part of a broader realignment in Nigerian politics, especially in the Southeast, where calls for restructuring have long been a key issue.

Reactions to Ozigbo’s statements have been mixed. On social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), users have debated his views, with some praising his candor and others accusing him of opportunism. One post highlighted the irony of Ozigbo’s past alliance with Obi, noting the potential impact on the Obidient movement ahead of future polls.

President Tinubu’s administration has faced ongoing pressure to address Nigeria’s structural challenges, including fiscal federalism and resource control. Ozigbo’s endorsement comes at a time when the government is pushing reforms, though critics argue progress has been slow.

As Nigeria gears up for the 2027 elections, statements like Ozigbo’s underscore the fluid nature of political alliances in the country.