I Witnessed Betrayal And Sabotage – Valentine Ozigbo Opens Up On Reason For Dumping LP For APC

Also Read

Former Anambra State governorship aspirant Valentine Ozigbo has revealed the reasons behind his defection from the Labour Party (LP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the move as a painful but necessary decision driven by his love for Anambra State.

In a statement shared on 𝕏 (formerly Twitter), Ozigbo acknowledged the mixed reactions that followed his defection, noting that he understood the disappointment and anger expressed by some supporters, especially those within the Obidient Movement.

“Many people have asked: ‘Val, why did you leave the Labour Party?’ ‘Why APC?’ Some asked with curiosity, some with disappointment, and some with anger. I understand all three. But truth demands context,” he wrote.

‘I Was Betrayed Within the Labour Party’

The former Transcorp CEO said his exit from the LP was triggered by what he described as “betrayal and sabotage” from the party’s top leadership, adding that the internal politics he witnessed was worse than what he had experienced elsewhere.

“I witnessed a level of betrayal and sabotage within the Labour Party top leadership (not the grassroots) unlike anything I had encountered in public life. A deliberate effort was made at the leadership level to stop my candidacy at all costs,” Ozigbo stated.

He explained that despite his commitment to the LP during its peak popularity in Anambra State — including strong grassroots support and positive online polls showing over 90% preference for his candidacy — the leadership undermined him through a process he described as “lacking transparency.”

“All I asked for was a transparent process, a level playing field, not a coronation. Yet what unfolded revealed a troubling reality — the very culture we condemned in other parties had taken root there, and in some cases, even deeper,” he said.

‘LP’s Internal Crisis Crippled Its Structure’

Ozigbo added that his departure exposed deep-rooted structural weaknesses within the Labour Party in Anambra, which, according to him, have since weakened its grassroots strength.

“I could have stayed to continue the fight from within, but I had long realised that in the process of chasing me out, they ended up crippling the party itself — out of selfishness and short-sightedness,” he stated.

Why I Joined the APC

Explaining his decision to join the ruling All Progressives Congress, Ozigbo said the APC was “the only viable platform” capable of mounting a strong challenge to the current administration in Anambra State.

He reaffirmed his commitment to contributing to the state’s progress, adding that his political choices were guided by vision, not convenience.