The Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Nkem Okeke, has dumped the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) for All Progressives Congress (APC).
Until his defection, Okeke worked with Governor Willie Obiano.
Governor’s convoy held hostage as IPOB militants disrupt APGA campaign in Anambra
PODCAST: How far IDPs go for survival
Okeke was presented to President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, by the APC caretaker chairman and Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, and Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, on Wednesday.
Okeke dumped APGA less than a month to the gubernatorial election in the state.
While the APC is rooting for Andy Uba, its candidate in the election, Obiano is fighting hard for APGA to retain the state through Professor Chukwuma Soludo, its candidate in the election.
Uba has welcomed the deputy governor into the APC fold.
In a statement by Director, Media and Publicity, Senator Andy Uba Governorship Campaign Organisation, SAUGCO Hon. Victor Afam Ogene, APC, said Okeke would add value.
“The Senator Andy Uba Governorship Campaign Organisation, SAUGCO has welcomed the Deputy Governor of Anambra state, Dr. Nkem Okeke into its fold.
“We heartily welcome our deputy governor, Dr. Nkem Okeke, an intellectual of no mean standing who has over the years striven to steer the ship of Anambra state from the parochialism and maladministration which his Principal, Governor Willy Obiano has foisted on the state.
According to the statement, for several years, Dr. Okeke had remained the only sane voice of reason in Government House, Awka
He also alleged that Obiano elevated his wife to the status of co-Governor and relegated the deputy to nothingness.
“For taking this patriotic step, in the face of daunting personal discomfort, this generation of ndi Anambra, and indeed Anambra children yet unborn, would remember the name, Dr. Nkem Okeke, as one who rejected the accoutrements of high office and elected to align with the people.”he said .