AWKA -Friday 15 October 2021: -Senior aides of the Anambra State Deputy Governor, Dr Nkem Okeke, have refused to join him in the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The aides restated their loyalty to the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, and to the state governor, Governor Willie Obiano.

Okeke had on Wednesday defected to the APC after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja.

The senior aides, who spoke to journalists at the office of the Chief of Staff to Governor Willie Obiano, Mr. Primus Odili, expressed shock over the defection of their boss, saying they only heard of it on social media.

The aides consist of Senior Special Assistant to the Deputy Governor on General Duties, Dr. Charles Nwufo; Special Assistant to Anambra State Governor on Media, Mrs Stella Igboka; Special Assistant to Anambra State Governor on Legal, Barrister Bath Okafor; and Senior Special Assistant on Political Matters, Captain Chizor Obierika.

Dr Nwufo said: “The Deputy Governor, Dr. Okeke never discussed or mentioned the move to his aides. I wonder why someone who has benefited so much from Governor Willie Obiano will defect to a political party that is struggling to have a ground in the state and pledged his continuous support to the APGA leadership.”

Igboka, in her own interview, said: “The successes and achievements recorded by Governor Willie Obiano are immeasurable and I vow to finish with APGA which shared the vision and hope of Ndị Igbo.”

Barrister Bath Okafor and Captain Chizor Obierika summarized the move as selfish and spite to them as it clearly shows that they were never valued and carried along, which they would have strongly disapproved.

They assured that they will continue to propagate the ideals and mission of the accomplished administration of Governor Willie Obiano in making sure that the governor is succeeded by a responsive and visionary leader like Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo.