Senior aides of Dr Nkem Okeke, the Anambra State deputy governor, have refused to join him in the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Okeke had, on Wednesday, defected to the APC after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja.
The senior aides, who spoke 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 include Senior Special Assistant on General Duties, Dr. Charles Nwufo; Special Assistant on Media, Mrs. Stella Igboka; Special Assistant on Legal, Barrister Bath Okafor; and Senior Special Assistant on Political Matters, Captain Chizor Obierika.
“The deputy governor, Dr. Okeke, never discussed the move (from APGA to APC) with 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?” Nwufo queried, pledging his continuous loyalty to the APGA leadership.
Igboka, on her part, said: “The successes and achievements recorded by Obiano are immeasurable and I vow to finish with APGA, which shares the vision and hope of Ndị Igbo.”
Barrister Bath Okafor and Captain Chizor Obierika summarized the move as selfish and spiteful 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 accomplished by Obiano administration to ensure that the governor is succeeded by a responsive and visionary leader such as Prof. Chukwuma Soludo.