Ahead of Saturday Anambra governorship election, a Special Adviser to Governor Willie Obiano, Chief Tommy Okoli, has defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“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,” Mr Okoli stated. “Thank you so much for your support, and may God reward everyone in Jesus name.” 

Mr Okoli, a former governorship aspirant under the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), announced his defection at a rally on Thursday in Ukpor, Nnewi South local government area.

He said he was supporting the candidature of Valentine Ozigbo and his running mate, Azuka Enemo of the PDP, in the election.

According to him, he is throwing his weight behind Ozigbo, having x-rayed all the candidates and finding PDP most qualified for the task of “redeeming” Anambra.

Mr Okoli said he had consulted widely the people of his constituency who wholly supported his decision to join the PDP.

“I have decided to endorse the ticket of PDP with Mr Valentine Ozigbo and Azuka Enemuo as governorship candidate and running mate respectively to win the November 6 election in Anambra state. I will use all the resources, contacts and enormous goodwill available to me to support their ticket,” the special adviser added. “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.”

Continuing, he stated, “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. 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.”

(NAN)