- Dumps APGA over poor treatment, unpaid entitlements
BY EDMOND ODOK – With political horse-trading and calculations heating up ahead of the November 6 Anambra gubernatorial election, the State Deputy Governor, Nkem Okeke, has jumped ship to embrace the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC).
Dumping the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the state, Okeke was formally presented to President Muhammadu Buhari in Aso Villa by the APC delegation led by the Interim National Committee (INC) Chairman and Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni and his Imo State counterpart, Governor Hope Uzodinma.
Insiders hinted that Okeke’s decision may not be unconnected with complaints of being sidelined entirely from the government’s affairs for the major part of his second term in office as Deputy Governor.
Speculations are also rife that his entitlements and allowances have been unduly delayed for some time, leading to his movement to APC.
Speaking with State House correspondents after a closed-door meeting with President Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja State House, Abuja, on Wednesday, Governor Uzodinma, who is also the Chairman Anambra Gubernatorial Campaign Council, said like Okeke, many prominent politicians are defecting to the APC because of the development projects of the Buhari administration in the South-East zone.
“Our people are now willing to join the winning team, which is APC. At the last count, eight members of the House of Representatives from APGA and PDP have joined the Party. Just this afternoon, the Deputy Governor of Anambra joined the APC and has been presented to the president. So, what is remaining?
“If there is any strong parameter for conducting an opinion poll, this exodus of legislators and the second in command in Anambra should automatically translate into electoral victory for APC,” Uzodinma said.
