Ahead of Saturday’s Anambra governorship election, a Special Adviser to Gov. Willie Obiano, Chief Tommy Okoli, has defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
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 of the state.
He said he was supporting the candidature of Mr. Valentine Ozigbo and his running mate, Mrs. 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.
Okoli said he had consulted the people of his constituency widely and they 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 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 urged members of this platform to please vote for Val Ozigbo and Azuka Enemuo.
“These two people are decent, humble, and 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,” he said.
Okoli thanked Obiano for giving him the opportunity to serve and for the support he enjoyed while in APGA.
”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,” he said.
