Non-indigenes in Anambra State have endorsed the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Valentine Ozigbo, for the November 6 governorship election.
The non-indigenes, made of people from the North, South West, South-South and other states from the South East, in a town hall meeting in Awka Anambra State capital, said that after thorough studying of other candidates, Ozigbo is the best.
The representative of the northern group, Alhaji Shagari Musa, said that with the little interaction they had with Ozigbo, they were convinced he would do well for the state.
He said the northerners in the state would always support the right candidate who sees everybody as a Nigerian and work towards one united Nigeria.
According to him, the northern leaders would mobilise votes for Ozigbo because of his humility and integrity.
Musa also urged Ozigbo to remember non-indigenes in his government when he become the governor.
The leader of the Yorubas in the state, Mr Temitope Adebayo, said after studying the manifesto of Ozigbo, they felt that he is the right person to be supported in the election.
According to him, the people of the South West in Anambra would do everything possible to mobilise votes for Ozigbo in the November election.
He said that in other states of the federation non-indigenes are given some political slots in the government, calling on the PDP governorship candidate to do the same if he eventually wins the election.
Also, the representative of the South-South, Mrs Amaka Tamuno, said that non-indigenes in the state were seriously mobilising their people and friends to vote for Ozigbo.
Speaking at the meeting, Ozigbo said, in his government, there would be nothing like non-indigenes, noting that everybody who resides, do business and pay taxes would have every right like others.
“Any person residing in Anambra is an indigene.
“Your father’s place is your first home while Anambra is your second home depending on your choice.
“Anambra is home for all and under my government, everybody is a citizen of the state. Everybody shall be treated equally,” he said.
Ozigbo described himself as not only the right candidate but the best candidate in the election.
He called on the people to vote for the right person with the right attitude, character and temperament to respect others.
Speaking at the meeting, a former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, said: “We are all Nigerians and we must see ourselves as Nigerians, not from a tribal or religious perspective.”
He said the crisis of indigene and non-indigene is the fallout of bad leadership.
