Anambra guber: Crisis hits APGA as Obiano’s aide dumps party for PDP

Anthony Iwuoma

Barely 48 hours to Saturday’s gubernatorial election in Anambra State, the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) may have hit a rough patch, as the gale of defections that befell the party of late seems unabating.

This time, Tommy Okoli, a Special Adviser to Governor Willie Obiano, has dumped the party and pitched tent with  the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The former governorship aspirant on the platform of APGA  on Thursday announced his defection at a rally in Ukpor, Nnewi South Local Government Area of the state.

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According to him, he decided to support the candidature of Valentine Ozigbo and his running mate, Azuka Enemo, after close analysis of all the candidates and realising that the PDP candidate towers above all others.

Okoli said: “I have decided to endorse the ticket of PDP with Valentine Ozigbo and Azuka Enemuo as governorship candidate and running mate respectively to win the Nov. 6 election in Anambra State.

“I will use all the resources, contacts, and enormous goodwill available to me to support their ticket. I took this difficult decision after due consultation with my campaign organisation and therefore urge members of this platform to please vote for Val Ozigbo and Azuka Enemuo.

“These two people are decent, humble a d compassionate people, capable of transforming Anambra into a more prosperous and secured state, we shall all be proud of.

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“I offered myself to serve as the Governor of Anambra State, but Valentine Ozigbo will equally do better by providing purposeful leadership for our people.

Announcing his resignation from APGA, Okoli added: “I hereby withdraw my membership of APGA.

“I sincerely appreciate, His Excellency Willie Obiano for giving me the opportunity to serve in his administration and I pray to the Almighty God to bless him and his family. Thank you so much for your support and may God reward everyone in Jesus’ name.”

It will be recalled that several members of APGA, including Obiano’s aides and even the deputy governor, Dr. Nkem Okeke, have left the party to join other parties.