*By* *Jude* *Obiora*
He is not given to much noise. He could pass you and you would still be looking for him. He is unassuming. He is an epitome of humility. He respects the old and the young. Above all, he is the man many can trust as he has an unblemished past as far as Anambra politics is concerned.
His name is Valentine Ozigbo, the Amesi born village boy that has grown to become who and what he is by sheer hard work.
Ozigbo has just emerged as the governorship candidate of the People's Democratic Party from one of the most transparent party primaries in the state's history.
Not many could have taken him seriously when he declared interest in vying for the number one seat in Anambra State. With no known pedigree in the politics of the state, despite being supportive of his party from the background, only the most optimistic could have given him a chance.
When he went further to resign his position as the president and group chief executive officer of Transcorp, and later also resigned from its board, many must have wondered what gave him the guts to take those actions.
It is indeed never easy for anyone to leave the comfort zone of the corporate world to plunge headlong into the murky waters of politics, especially the Nigerian brand.
But Ozigbo had done it with a firm resolve to give it his best shot. Always a man to dare the odds and take on challenges, only those close to him could have believed he would succeed.
Ozigbo's emergence certainly reminds one of a certain Peter Obi, way back in 2003. Then, Obi had taken the politics of the state by storm from the corporate world. But many still saw him as an upstart; not until he showed the steel in him.
Today, Ozigbo has replicated the Obi feat. But more than that, he comes in as a bridge builder; the guy who can unite all parties that contested the PDP primary election. He's the man without baggage, a man few can reject.
In a country where rancour mars her politics, Ozigbo comes in as a breath of fresh air. His politicking up to this point has been devoid of name calling, bitterness or acrimony.
He's been rejoicing with people in their happy moments and sorrowing with them in bad times.
Little wonder that he is likened to the Ibrahim Waziri of today's politics. Waziri, a Second Republic politician, became famous for his gospel of politics without bitterness. He was gentle to the core.
Ozigbo imbibes those qualities and few can deny that.
He is a master strategist who pays attention to the minutest detail. His looks actually belie his real self. He talks less but acts more in the best tradition of thinkers.
When some people win as he has won, many usually kick against and fight the winners, probably because of either the way they won or their kind of personality.
Ozigbo has just won fairly and posseses a humble personality that is bound to elicit the support of all.
Perhaps, no PDP aspirant could have served as a bridge at this critical time than Ozigbo.
PDP really needs such a personality at this time. They need one everybody can trust and want to work with.
Ozigbo is ever willing and ready to extend the hands of fellowship to all. He is an apostle of inclusivity, a team player and a mobiliser.
He relates with the poor the same way as he relates with the rich and powerful.
In Valentine Ozigbo, PDP may have finally solved its jigsaw puzzle.
It was wonderful seeing how his opponents hugged and congratulated him moments after he won. It is apparent they see him as a worthy winner and one they can trust and work with.
Such team spirit is needed for the final battle. A united PDP family will always be a formidable force.
As Ozigbo and his supporters bask in the euphoria of his victory in the primary, Anambra may just have discovered a Joshua that will lead them to the Promised Land.
Ozigbo is the bridge through which that entry to the Promised Land will happen.
At just 50 years, Ozigbo is raring to serve his people with his youthful strength and vigour and cannot wait for Anambra to "Chawapu".
He's done it before (at Transcorp), he'll surely do it again!
Jude Obiora, a social commentator, wrote from Awka