The immediate past deputy governor of Anambra State, Dr Nkem Okeke, has disclosed the reason he fell out with his former boss, Willie Obiano.
Naija News recalls that Okeke dumped the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in November 2021.
In a chat with reporters in Awka on Friday, Okeke said he left APGA because Obiano denied him of his entitlement as deputy governor of the state, adding that he had no regrets for his action.
Okeke stated that the former governor refused to approve his entitlements, adding that he hopes that Governor Charles Solduo would pay his dues soon.
The former deputy governor added that he was no longer enjoying the goodwill and confidence of Obiano, hence his defection to the APC.
He said: “I was not even receiving my entitlements while I was serving and I am not sure I will get any severance allowance. I don’t even know what is there for me. In the last couple of months, before our administration came to an end, I wasn’t getting my overhead as the governor refused to sign the warrant for my overhead.
“But I am hoping that Governor Chukwuma Soludo will do that when the time comes. For now, I don’t want to add to his problems and if they don’t come eventually, life goes on. I didn’t join politics for entitlements, but to contribute my quota.
“I thank God that I left the party as of the time I did. People blaming me for leaving or accusing me of betraying the party are not being fair to me.”
Okeke stated that all the advice he gave on critical issues concerning the state were not taken despite giving his best to the Obiano government.
The former deputy governor said he dumped APGA because he needed to serve at the national level, adding that he has really gained national limelight since joining the APC.
He, however, appreciated the people of Anambra and former governor Obiano for the opportunity to serve the state.
He said, “The governor is the all and all. The deputy dances to the whims and caprices of the governor. I have always believed in giving my best in whatever capacity I find myself. It has always been my plan to join the APC. It is the question of what I do next after serving as deputy governor.
“I don’t have any regrets about joining the APC. I joined the party, because I needed to play my politics at the national level and the two parties at the national level are the APC and the PDP. I have really gained national limelight since joining the party. The APC has welcomed me with open arms as I have been participating in the activities of the party at all levels. I just hope that more opportunities will come.
“I felt that after serving as deputy governor, what the next is. Would I continue to be in state politics or go to national politics and the question was if I wanted to go to national politics, would it be the APC or the PDP? Two of them are really the same, but I chose to join the party in power at the national level.
“I knew some people were not happy with that decision, but I look at things from all perspectives. I put into consideration what the APC has done for the people of Anambra, particularly the Second Niger Bridge, and I know what that bridge will do for our state when it is completed.”
This article was originally published on Nigeria News
