AWKA — In a move that has sent shockwaves through the ranks of the “Obidient” movement and the wider opposition, Valentine Ozigbo, a former heavyweight in the Labour Party, has declared that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is currently untouchable in a free and fair election.
Ozigbo, the former President of Transcorp and a one-time governorship candidate in Anambra State, made the blunt assessment during a high-profile political engagement on Monday. According to him, Tinubu’s path to victory in any credible poll isn’t just about the power of incumbency, but a direct result of a fractured and “clueless” opposition.
“The Opposition Has Failed”
Ozigbo didn’t mince words when describing the state of the parties he once called home. He argued that while many Nigerians are feeling the pinch of the current economy, the alternatives provided by the likes of Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar have failed to inspire confidence or build a cohesive front.
“Elections are about choices,” Ozigbo remarked. “As it stands, the opposition has spent more time fighting itself than building a bridge for the people. If you put them on a ballot today in a transparent process, Tinubu wins—not because everyone is happy, but because the opposition hasn’t proven they can lead themselves, let alone a nation.”
The Man with the “Courage to Restructure”
In a surprising pivot, the former Labour Party chieftain described President Tinubu as the only Nigerian leader currently possessing the “political balls” to tackle the country’s structural defects.
“I’ve looked at the landscape,” Ozigbo added. “Whether you like his style or not, Tinubu is the only one showing the courage to talk about the restructuring this country desperately needs. It is better to be at the table where these decisions are being made than to sit on the sidelines in a disorganized camp.”
A Major Shift in Alignment
Ozigbo’s comments mark a complete 180-degree turn from his stance during the 2023 general elections, where he was a vocal lieutenant for Peter Obi. Having joined the APC in early 2025, his latest outburst is seen by many as the final nail in the coffin of his relationship with the Labour Party.
While APC loyalists have hailed Ozigbo for his “realism,” critics within the opposition have labeled the move as a typical “bread and butter” political shift. Regardless of the motive, his declaration has effectively set the tone for the 2027 political season, leaving the opposition scrambling to prove him wrong.
