Tommy Okoli, a Special Adviser to Governor Willie Obiano, has defected to the Peoples Democratic Party ahead of Saturday’s Anambra governorship election.
Okoli, a former governorship candidate for the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance, announced his defection at a rally in Ukpor, Nnewi South Local Government Area, on Thursday.
He stated that he was supporting the PDP’s Valentine Ozigbo and his running mate, Azuka Enemo, in the election.
According to him, he is throwing his support behind Ozigbo after scrutinizing all the candidates and concluding that the PDP is the most qualified for the task of “redeeming” Anambra.
Okoli said he had consulted widely the people of his constituency who wholly supported his decision to join the PDP.
He said, “I have decided to endorse the ticket of PDP with Valentine Ozigbo and Azuka Enemuo as governorship candidate and running mate respectively to win the Nov. 6 elections 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 urge members of this platform to please vote for Val Ozigbo and Azuka Enemuo.
“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.”
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,” he announced.
“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 added.