(From left): APC National Caretaker Committee Chairman, Mai Mala Buni; President Buhari; Anambra Deputy Governor, Nkem Okeke; and the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, at the State House, Abuja, Wednesday
Anambra Deputy Gov. Okeke officially dumps APGA for APC
A week after speculations emerged of his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC), Anambra State Deputy Governor, Nkem Okeke has confirmed the reports following Wednesday’s presentation to President Muhammadu Buhari as the party’s newest member.
Okeke leaves the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the state with barely three weeks to the November 6 governorship election.
Okeke was presented to President Buhari at the State House, Abuja, Wednesday, in company of the APC National Caretaker Committee Chairman, Mai Mala Buni, and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma.
This year alone, the APGA has lost high-profile members to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and to the APC.
Last week, two members of the Anambra House of Assembly defected to the APC from the PDP.
The two legislators; Douglas Egbuna, who represents Onitsha North 1 Constituency, and Offor Onyebuchi, who represents Ekwusigo Constituency, both announced their defections in plenary on Wednesday.
The Minority leader in the house, Offor: “It is past time for me to join the ruling party at the national level,” he said, “so that my constituents can feel and experience the ruling party’s presence.”
Following several consultations, Egbuna defected to the APC. While congratulating the lawmakers, Speaker of the House Uche Okafor wished them well in their new political party.
The APC now has six members in the Assembly, leaving the PDP with four, and the APGA with 20.
Only recently, four lawmakers elected on the platform of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), in the state Assembly, also defected to the APC on September 21.
Last Wednesday, Deputy Governor Okeke unofficially prepared grounds for his eventual when a delegation of APC leaders led by Senator Andy Uba, who is the party’s flag bearer stormed his Ngozika Estate home, Thursday evening to receive him into APC.
Others who went with Uba include his running mate, Barr Emeka Okafor, his campaign DG, Chief Paul Chukwuma among others.
Okeke first served as Anambra State Commissioner for Economic Planning, and again as Commissioner for Works and Transport under the administration of former Governor Peter Obi.
